Work-Life balance is very important to everyone, especially new mothers.  Is it possible to have it all while raising a family?

With 20 female CEOs running America’s largest companies, new trends to work smarter, not longer hours may be in play.

CEO of Yahoo!, Marissa Mayer, made headlines after only taking a two-week maternity leave. While announcing her new position as CEO she also shared she was expecting her first child. Women everywhere were outraged with her short maternity leave.

On the other hand, Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg, one of the few prominent women in the technology industry, has become the ringleader for a generation of women hoping to balance high-profile jobs with motherhood.

“I don’t believe in having it all,” she says. “But I do believe in women and men having both a successful career and family. The more women we get into positions of power, the more likely we’ll get that.”

Sandberg leaves her office every day at 5:30 to spend time with her family and encourages others to do the same.

A report from the Council of Economic Advisers shows workplace flexibility is a best practice. Several benefits include increased productivity, reduced turnover and absenteeism and a higher morale and company commitment. Many European countries already practice workplace flexibility. What are we waiting on?

What good work-life habits do you practice?

 

 

Sources:

Bravo to Sheryl Sandberg for leaving work at 5:30 by Pamela Stone

Forbes Profile – Sheryl Sandberg

Marissa Mayer: Irrelevant ‘Superwoman’ or Agent of Change? By Judith Warner