The Need for Work-Life Balance
Balance is a universal need for everyone. A recent Task Force study was hailed for public acknowledgement of the problem for legal professionals who are burdened by stress of career and personal life. The newest trend - Work-Life Balance Programs allow a solution to manage both work and home.
/Indiana News Articles/ - INDIANAPOLIS, IN, June 07, 2006 - Every working person increasingly is feeling the need for work-life balance. The legal community is no different. Recognition of this issue was recently addressed by a Task Force formed by The Boston Bar Association. The findings not only highlight the complex and sensitive issues but the need to improve the quality of legal professionals' lives http://www.bostonbar.org/prs/fulfillment.htm). Although the report focuses on the stress of managing work-life balance with lawyers, the problem extends to the other professionals in the legal field.
The newest trend of personal errand runner and concierge services across the U.S. is enabling legal professionals the ability to relieve stress and create balance between work and home. These "angels of time" bring hope to the legal profession and offer a solution to maintain a level of order in their busy lives.
No one likes to feel inadequate, out of control or irresponsible and the lack of time to accomplish daily tasks is a never ending battle both personally and professionally. Demands border on the verge of insanity because of the constant struggle. One item is taken care while two more appear and a vicious cycle of stress manipulating guilt and guilt manipulating stress take the best from the best.
A legal career is not an easy job. Attorneys' work in excess of 45 hours per week because billable hour requirements measure performance. Judges' are overwhelmed compared to years past because of increased docket caseloads and the many factors of trials, hearings, motions and briefs. Legal staffs face increased stress because of workloads, productivity and their value being determined by commitment and performance.
As is now common in Corporate America, the practice of law is also focused on cost effective measures. Times have changed and attorneys no longer have one-on-one secretaries, legal assistants or paralegals. Common practice is 3 sometimes 4 assignments to one staff member. Attorneys work their cases and assist other attorneys at the same time. With so many roles to fulfill, maintaining a level of productivity while managing stress of work and home makes life very complicated.
The latest and popular benefit for the legal community, Corporate America and hospitals is work-life balance programs. This benefit is proving not only to be an excellent resource for recruitment, retention and morale boosting but is proven to increase employee focus, reduce absenteeism, relieve stress and extend a level of order between career and home. Work-life balance programs communicate concern for well being and willingness to assist employees achieve balance. The programs are a lifestyle management, a breath of fresh air and very affordable!
The work-life program is typically set up as a membership based on number of employees, a tailored list of available services, how the firm wants to offer services to employees, hours per month, performance on a specific day of the week and completed during normal business hours (as long as permissible). Services may be performed at no cost or at a reduced cost to employees depending on the preference. "Outsourcing for balance is becoming more and more popular," says Jackie Murphy, President and CEO of EK Errands Express in Indianapolis, IN. In the legal field for over 23 years, Jackie witnessed peers and clients struggle with accomplishing all that needed to be done. "On the work front there were projects, deadlines, meetings, and professional functions to attend. On the home front was grocery shopping, dinner, kids' school functions and sporting events, volunteerism, the need to be home for repairmen, and the list went on and on."
EK Errands Express was established based on the need for work-life balance and her desire to find a way to make life simple for them. "It was important to give back to the legal community and I had two ways of doing that," says Murphy, "use my legal experience to offer dedicated services for the practice of law (courier, filing court documents, service of process of documents and more) and at the same time offer personal solutions for home responsibilities giving back time for home, family and leisure." EK Errands Express' success is apparent by its popularity - more than 60 clients the first year in business and the number continues to grow.
What to look for when searching for an Errand and Concierge Service? Make sure they carry proper liability and automobile insurance; are bonded when necessary, and have testimonials to their trust, reliability and dependability. Third party vendors are responsible for their own work. Errand and concierge services also offer a wealth of competent and reliable referrals for clients for services they do not perform themselves.
Press Release Contact Information:
Jackie Murphy
EK Errands Express
President/CEO
Indianapolis, Indiana
USA
Voice: 317-356-4936
Website: Visit Our Website
