Most organizations wrestle with the problem of improper use of sick time. When faced with a choice between work and family, employees will often call in sick to care for a parent’s needs, attend a child’s soccer game or recital, or join a family celebration. This occurs because historically organizations have not regarded family matters as their purview; job responsibilities are always more important than an employee’s family.
This kind of organizational response to employees encourages dishonesty, and causes the employee to lose access to real sick days. Fortunately, businesses do not have to follow the norm. They can develop trust-producing environments where supervisors attune themselves to the needs of subordinates and show their concern tangibly. Studies have demonstrated that when managers trust their employees and show honest interest in their lives, employees return the trust and become more productive at work.
Trinity Services has consistently tried to develop just such an environment. Recognizing the importance of family, they offer the Family Ours program. Originating at a Trinity administrative retreat in 1995, this unique program provides employees eight hours per year that can be used in one- to three-hour increments for family-related activities. Every full-time employee receives a small "punch" card at the beginning of each fiscal year, with eight numbers to mark or punch. Time remaining at the end of the year does not carry over to the next.
When an employee wishes to take advantage of Family Ours time, he or she requests it from the designated supervisor in advance, stating the date and the number of hours needed. On returning to work, the employee asks the supervisor to acknowledge the time used by marking it on the card.
For instance, a few years ago, one employee discovered during a review of her son’s grades that he had not been completing his class assignments. Concerned, she scheduled after-school appointments with each of his teachers to ascertain details and implement a plan of action. Her supervisor allowed her to use the Family Ours program in one-hour increments to meet with her son’s instructors.
The program offers an additional perk. At the end of the year, all employees are encouraged to turn their cards in–used or unused–for a drawing. The winner receives a family celebration worth $150. The person can choose from a long list of possibilities such as a baseball game, movie, play, or theme park. If no options fit the family's desires, the employee can suggest an alternative.
Needless to say, the Family Ours program has become an integral–and welcome–part of the benefits offered to employees. For more information on the program, call Trinity’s Employee Services department at (815) 485-6197.