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Society And Technology Conference 2014 [Press Release]

The Institute for Work and Family Integration (IWFI) in conjunction with Lagos Business School and Businessday Newspapers announces

SOCIETY AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE 2014

Technology is an essential part of our society and few people can imagine living without it. We achieve a lot through the use of technology. It means more freedom and choices for people but at the same time we have to consider the social imbalance and posible loss of moral and social values.

Development and use of technology is about making smart choices for the future. We should not develop or use technology because of itself, but because it adds value to society and simplifies human life.

The Institute for Work and Family Integration is organizing a conference titled, Society and Technology Conference 2014. This year’s theme is The e-citizen: the Future today, taking place at The Civic Center, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday 28^th and Wednesday 29^th October 2014.
This conference brings together CEOs, senior executives, human resource directors, manufacturers and vendors in the Technology Space to discuss the impact of hi-tech innovation in the daily lifestyle of the e-citizen. How knowledge and use of inventions makes a person smart and be in charge.

Some Confirmed Speakers are:

·         Mrs. Omobola Johnson, The Honorable Minister of Communication and Technology

·         Mr. Ernest Ndukwe, former Nigerian Communications Commission

·         Mr. Tomi Davis, CEO Techno Vision Ltd

·         Prof. Chantal Epie, Head School of Business Administration, PAU

·         Mitchell Elegbe, CEO Interswitch

·         Adetutu Laditan, Industry Manager, Google (Nigeria)

ABOUT IWFI
 

IWFI is a policy research and advocacy centre for the integration of work and family with the core purpose of promoting policies and practices in the workplace that engender respect for human dignity and good work ethics.



SOCTECH 2014

 Work and family integration as a concept is to enable the effective balance between Career and Family for a more fulfilling life, productive workforce, enhanced profitability of  corporate organisations, and better education and training for future leaders, thereby positioning our society to play more competitively in the global community.

 

CONTACT

 To learn more about this conference, please contact Charles Aigbona 08160537933 charles.aigbona@iwfionline.org for more information.

Also visit www.iwfionline.org/soctech2014 to register

Post by Callistus Dike

 

Amenable Workplace Policies

The importance of keeping employees satisfied and happy on the job is crucial for the overall well being of the organization. The human resource officer is saddled with job of striking the needed balance between the employee work/ family life and the establishment’s growth.

An employee friendly policy is one major issue the employer will always contend with. Whatever policies are put in place should not only benefit the employee alone but also the employer.

The allocation of activities for the employee within a time frame must be such that the employee is able to deliver results and still be whole by the time he gets home. The HR personnel is responsible for creating a synergy between the employer and the employee.

The HR officer should be able to recognise the signs of overwork in personnel. It has been shown through research that over work can result in variety of illnesses that are work related. The employee that is not up to pal in his health will not be able to deliver on his job requirements. This would make such employees prone to mistakes. It is especially heightened when the establishment is short staffed. However, things can be put in place to facilitate good work ethics.

It is important that priorities are clearly set to avoid overwork and the possibility of giving a less than optimal results.

A number of things if put in place in the working environment will facilitate the work process, are

1. Employees being able to schedule work for more quiet times. This form of flexibility requires that the HR personnel keep track of actual hours worked by staff.

2. Having official transport arrangement to reduce the stress of commuting to work.

3. Meetings should be held as early as possible, meetings for later in the day should be avoided because it eats into the family time of the employee.

4. Demystifying work by allowing employee kids have the opportunity of being brought to work and getting acquainted with their parents work environment.

5. Effective policies should be put in place for integrating part-time employees and job sharers

6. Witch hunting, segregation and preferential treatment should be discouraged in its entirety in the work environment.

7. Employees should be carried along with developments in the establishment. When they are kept in the dark about issues that should normally involve them, they feel alienated and devalued.

8. Work tools, such as computers, printers, photocopiers, staplers and staples etc, should always be made available or serviced as at when due, to avoid bottles necks and clogs of diverse kinds.

9. Regular surveys should be carried out by HR personnel to find out the pulse of the work environment.

10. Welfare packages should be a norm.

By Nehizena Imade. zenabright@yahoo.com

How to Cut Off Your Distractions at Work and Focus on a Project by Brian O'Connell

Multitasking is one thing, and workers who are able to multitask should be the envy of us all. But interruptions in the workplace are quite a different thing, and should never be welcome. Now there's a university study to prove it -- and back up do-not-disturb policy at your office.

"People don't realize how disruptive interruptions can be," says Cyrus Foroughi, co-author of the study Do Interruptions Affect Quality of Work? and a doctoral candidate at George Mason University.

His data show the typical worker is interrupted six times a day on the job. That sounds like a lot, but just how distracting are those interruptions?

"There is value in determining whether interruptions affect the quality of the tasks that many people perform regularly, such as writing essays or reports," Foroughi says.

To find out, Foroughi's staff broke GMU students into two groups on an essay project. One group was left alone and the other was interrupted regularly.

Not too surprisingly, the group that was interrupted showed lower-quality scores and wrote fewer words.

"Interruption can cause a noticeable decrement in the quality of work, so it's important to take steps to reduce the number of external interruptions we encounter daily," Foroughi says. "For example, turn off your cellphone and disable notifications such as email while trying to complete an important task."

In addition, close your door or put a sign on your outside cubicle wall saying "No interruptions, please."

It's also a good idea to call out the cause of the interruption and ask yourself "Is this really a good time for me to be interrupted?"

If the problems persists, give a little, but only a little. Make sure the other party knows you have a five-minute time limit to discuss the problem. Better yet, tell the other party you'll be happy to discuss the issue -- but only after you're done working on your current task.

Also: Let your work phone go to voice mail as well as your personal phone, and close your work email page temporarily as well when you need to focus on a project.

Personal and organizational benefits of work life balance for CEOs By Nehizena O Imade nee Asemota

It is true that work and family are two separate areas of life; however, they are both fractions of what makes up wholesome living. It is therefore important that a balance be struck or else regrets may abound.

Being a CEO does not erase the roles of being a father, a husband, a mother or a wife. So allocating time to each of these aspects of life is crucial to being successful. Clearly articulating how and where your time is spent, will go a long way in putting order in situations that can become overwhelming if not checked.

An excellent way a CEO can organize time is to take each aspect of life and think through what makes for success in these areas. It is important to be realistic in doing this. The different aspects of life should not be overloaded in any way with unethical expectations. It is better to do a little well, than doing much, inappropriately. Improper use of time can lead to burn outs.

As a CEO and a parent, what things are you currently involved in that makes you feel you are a success at parenting? Can these things be improved upon? Perhaps you would also discover that you are far from your expectation of how a good parent should be. Though it may be difficult to admit, but if you desire a happy and stable family life, you do have to come to terms with your inadequacies. So what do you think you can do to start on your way to being a good CEO parent? A sure way of finding out were your flaws lie, is to have a heart to heart talk with your family. They are the ones that really feel the pinch of the problem. It is often said that work should be left at the door step and not brought into the home, but a lots of CEO,s are guilty of doing the exact opposite. They use up family time attending to official matters as if the home is an extension of the office. Obviously phone(s) are a necessary appendage, but can constitute a nuisance in your home. It is obligatory that a check be put on this and all other intrusions alike, for the sake of your family life.

Balancing work and life also means being able to delegate appropriately, this gives you the advantage of developing capable hands in the work place, knowing the capabilities of those you work with and also free you up to be the chief executive that you truly are. Though for an entrepreneur or CEO of a start-up, it is tempting to take on a lot more than what you can normally handle. This is where moderation comes in. Prioritize your time and learn to step back to re-evaluate what is working and what isn’t, this will put a check on wastage of time and resources.

On the other hand, having risen to your present position through hard work, it will be foolhardy to now spend all your time attending to family affairs. Dare it be said that the home takes priority attention; nevertheless to neglect your official duties unduly is a sure way to a crash in your carrier.

Balancing work and family life also means you spend time in quietness; this on its own is a perfect drug for rejuvenation. You have to learn to take time out to be by yourself and think things through, so you can put your life in proper perspective. Take time out, kick off your shoes and put your feet up. Each time you engage in this practice you come back refreshed and ready to take on the world.

By Nehizena O Imade nee Asemota

Another Successful outing of the IWFI MARRIED COUPLES RETREAT July 25th 2014 by Callistus Dike

"To the left, to the left, to the right, to the right, now slide, slide..." and so we carried on with the electric slide dance after a very funny game of volley ball.

It was another successful outing of the IWFI Married Couples Retreat (MCR), which began on the 25th of July and ended on the 27th of July. As usual it took place at Epe Resort and Spa. This venue is so loved by all participants since the inception of the programme. Its closeness to nature, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life, provides a serene atmosphere that aids reflection and promotes peace.

By 6.00pm on the first day, six of the eight couples had arrived and checked in. The retreat had couples who have been married between twenty-two years to eight months. It is worthy of note that there were quite a number of young professionals present in this edition who feel the need to integrate the same successes they have known in their work place into their marriages. One of the men shared that he has done very well in his career, providing solutions and having the ability to push his organization forward without realizing that same approach can be adapted within the family setting to organizing his family.

You know, couples talk without having a conversation. A spouse shared how impressed she was at seeing her husband taking notes during one of the classroom sessions. For her it meant he was keen on the subject which was a surprise to her. When they got to the room for dialogue ( a part of the exercise), they did have a conversation, which was something that rarely happened in their marriage.

In his response, the chairman IWFI Engineer Charles Osezua explained that the MCR is part of a list of programmes organized by the institute to promote better families, better businesses and a better society. It is a proven fact that persons from happy families make better employers and hence a better society.

There is no economic benefit for the institute in this programme. It therefore encourages individuals and organizations to sponsor couples whom they wish to have a better family life that translates to better employees and a better society.

This edition of the MCR had nominees from Akintola Williams, NSIA Insurance and Fidelity Bank. These are companies that got the IWFI recognition award for having best family friendly policies. The award was presented during the annual IWFI Work and Family Conference at the Civic Centre in May 2014 which included a free IWFI MCR voucher for any deserving member of staff of these organizations.

You can call 08160537922 or email info@iwfionline.org to find out the next date.

Article by Callistus

Inaugural Edition of the IWFI Work and Family Conference at the Civic Centre Lagos

The institute of Work and Family Integration (IWFI) in collaboration with Lagos Business School and Great Place to Work, on Wednesday the 21st of May, organized a conference on emerging global practices, with respect to work and family life balance. It was endorsed by the Chattered Institute of Personnel Management.

The occasion kicked off with the chairman, Engr. Charles Osezua OON KSG, opening address. Executives drawn from the academic, banking and corporate world facilitated the conference. The forum provided a platform for HR executives, employers of labor and employees to advance Family friendly policies within the work environment. In addition, corporate practices being practiced by different establishments both within and outside Nigeria were sited.

The main focus of the conference was to achieve impactful family responsible policies, work life balance and enhance productivity in the work place. To effectively deliver the conference objectives, an address titled, The Struggle between Work and family: The Global Perspective, was delivered by Professor Chantal Epie of the prestigious Lagos Business School, LBS. This was followed by another keynote address titled The Struggle between Work and Family: The Nigerian perspective, delivered by Mr. Michael Thomas, country manager of Great Place to Work.

The corporate reality focus of the conference was treated by means of topics such as Family friendly Policies, corporate practices in Nigeria, and Corporate and Family Success: Which Family Friendly Policies work in Nigeria? HR directors of Akintola Williams Deliotte, NSIA insurance and Fidelity Bank shared with the smart audience the family responsible policies which are operational in their companies and how it has enhanced productivity and organizational performance.

The family side of work was not left unattended to. Impact of work-family issues on employee and organizational performance, How to avoid being fired by Your Family, Work Life Balance: Is it achievable in the banks? Cultural aspects in Work-Life balance: the Human being in the worker., were all topical avenues explored to achieve the set goals. Some of the distinguished speakers were Dr. Christiane Spitzmueller, Associate Professor , University of Houston, Texas, Mr. Soni Irabor, MD/CEO, Inspiration 92.3 fm, Sir. Orji Udumezue, professional banker and finance Consultant and Diane Lemiueux.

The sections were chaired by notable personalities like Professor Albert Alos, Pan-Atlantic University and Mr. Femi Mokikan, HR Executive Director of 7UP Company and Sir. Chris Ogbechie of the Lagos Business School.

The Institute for Work Family Integration is an NGO concerned with providing solutions for the challenges occasioned by demographic shifts in the work place and technological changes in society for a fulfilled family life and enhanced productivity.

SEE PHOTOS

This event had Owel Linkso Group, CBO Capital, Zenith bank, Nest Oil, Coca Cola and PZ cussons as sponsors. Nigeria info, Inspiration 92.3fm, Jemima and tw magazine were media sponsors of this event.

OBSERVATIONS
1. Unrealistic work demands
2. Limited or no rest opportunities
3. Traffic situation
4. Absentee parenting
5. Work life balance is not a quick fix short term solution. It is a life- long aspiration.
6. Work life balance solutions cannot be the same across board.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Comprehensive medical coverage for the family
2. Conducive work environment
3. Post-work life support
4. Incentives (End of year profit sharing)
5. Professionals are advised to get healthy hobbies that energizes your spirits
6. Bonding/recreational activities

by Nehizena Imade