After countless conversations with employees over the past year, I want to pass along the two messages they are most desperate for their managers to hear:
Message #1: Thank you! We are so appreciative of your support this past year, and in particular, the flexibility you provided as we navigated work while also:
- Helping children with schoolwork
- Caring for elderly parents
- Undergoing fertility treatment
- Navigating mental health issues
- Battling addiction
- Supporting partners with chronic health problems
- Taking sick pets to the veterinarian
- Making time to exercise
- Dating and planning weddings
- Having babies and navigating adoption
- Attending therapy
- Buying/selling a home
- Arranging home and car repairs
- Volunteering
- Caring for a child with a disability
- And much, much more…
Message #2: Keep it going. In 2021, and every day after, we will work hard and bring our best professional selves to our jobs, but please remember that our day-to-day lives will include:
- See above list.