Get it up for Gwen for Men
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 01:39PM When I first heard about Gwen for Men, I assumed it was the name of an ‘adult’ doll found at the back of one of the JC cupboards or maybe even a treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Fortunately, given my boss had emailed me about it, the reality turned out to be somewhat different. Something far more edifying than a way for the older male members of JC to recover their previous…er…vigour.
As it turns out, it is actually scheme designed to help us men manage our work-life balance. Hardly a new idea you might say – particularly as trying to forge a successful career whilst enjoying a rewarding personal life is something with which we all battle every day.
So why mention it then?
Well, for me, a scheme like Gwen for Men is what modern business culture should be all about. A way of helping people find a way of working that suits the rest of their life – but without jeopardising any of the great stuff that we do for our clients or customers or anyone else.
It’s also extremely relevant to me personally.
Next month, I begin a period of Additional Paternity Leave, taking three months off to spend time looking after my new(ish)born son while my wife begins her own gradual journey back into working life. Apparently I’m the first JC-er ever to do it too – so I’m something of a test case! And, although I will miss day to day office life, in many ways, I can’t wait to enjoy a prolonged period of bonding with Dylan and being a full-time Dad.
It’s all thanks to a new government initiative to allow parents to split maternity leave to spend more time with their children – which is great in theory. But where Gwen for Men comes in is in helping make it work in practice.
According to a colleague involved in the programme, it’s all about “creating an environment where we embrace the complexity of life and where you can have the flexibility to find your balance, experience your moments and be transparent about your priorities.”
Which is a slightly long (not to mention American) way of saying it involves developing a way of working that takes your whole life into account, whatever that entails.
Since becoming a parent, I have enjoyed nothing but support in doing that and, thanks to the mind-set embodied by Gwen for Men, I have been able to have open, honest and fair discussions with the JC-powers-that-be about what working life looks like for me – now and when I come back from paternity leave.
Sure, I’ve had to work out for myself how to adjust to such a major change in my home life but being given the space and guidance to do so has been invaluable. And it’s not just for boring parents like me either. This is something that could and should work for everyone, whatever the demands on your time outside of work. Honestly.
So next time you miss dinner with your mum or that evening art class because you’re stuck in the office, remember Gwen for Men.
Well actually, remember Men for Gwen. Apparently I got the name wrong.
But that’s nowhere near as amusing.

Reposted from JCPRsays
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