Editorial: Work and family life hard act to juggle

Prime Minister John Key went up in my estimation this month when he gave a clear message that he sees his role as a parent as his most important job, making the difficult decision to attend his son's baseball game rather than the funerals of the two soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

The criticism around his decision highlights a worrying trend that the job we do is more important than our own well-being and that of our family.

Twenty per cent of Kiwis rate family time the most valued thing in their lives, as James Fuller reports today on page A6.

Yet the tough economy and a competitive job market means that many Kiwis struggle to find that all-elusive work-life balance.

It would be dangerous for New Zealand to slip into the mentality of Gordon Gecko's Wall Street where lunch was for wimps. Achieving a good work-life balance makes sense for an individual's well-being, and makes sense for the employer, too.

Companies are likely to attract better candidates for roles if they have a culture that encourages a work-life balance. Those employees are likely to be happier and more productive.

It also makes sense for the socio-economic future of New Zealand. A key role of parenting is to shape the values and the health of our children who will grow into our future's thinkers, workers, leaders and parents. In Steve Biddulph's book Raising Boys, he says that if you routinely work 55 to 60 hours a week you just won't cut it as a dad.

At least many dads, if they are in a relationship, can focus on the family when they do get home, which is more than you can say for working mums whose second job begins when they walk through the door at night.

In James Fuller's story, Trustpower CEO Vince Hawksworth relaxes by cooking a rack of lamb. Plus Group Horticulture boss Steve Saunders says he likes cardio.

Mothers who cook every night of the week after a full day's work will tell you there is nothing relaxing about it. As for cardio, the only things raising our heartbeat are the vacuuming and loading the washing machine.

John Key mentioned the many sacrifices his children make to fit in with his job. The guilt of being a working parent can be so strong, we lock it away in a bottom drawer only to be brought out at our darkest moments. Perhaps it is time we took a harder look at this.

This week the Government brought out its Green Paper as the first step in tackling the country's terrible child abuse rates. For most of us who love our kids, we are horrified at these cases which include malnutrition, untreated medical conditions and symptoms of stress in children.

But it got me thinking about the children of loving, working parents who end up hardly seeing mum or dad.

We dare not name this as neglect, given the decision to work is for most financial and based on only a desire to provide our children with the best.

And if you are the reader who wrote in response to another editorial about working mothers, that mothers are only working to "fund their baches", many working mothers are forced to choose fulltime jobs for financial reasons but also because part-time work is hard to come by and often low paid.

The Government could lead the way by offering financial incentives to companies who offer work-life balance initiatives, such as flexible working hours, job share and work-from-home options. It should also consider a change to New Zealand's current parental leave laws.

Improving Kiwis' work-life balance would be an economic and social investment in the country's future.

If John Key can consider these initiatives, he shows that it is not just his own family he cares about, but the country's families.