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Margate, FL (May, 2008) Working parents
everywhere are realizing the extra benefits of working from home
including being there for their children when they are sick. In fact,
Diana Ennen, president of Virtual Word Publishing was recently
featured on CBS Channel 4 News in Miami,
http://cbs4.com/video/?id=53473@wfor.dayport.com on a
segment on working parents and handling sick children and states that
one of the biggest advantages to being self employed is the ability to
not send her kids to school sick.
Ennen states, “I’ve walked to school and seen the
agony on a parent’s face when they have had to drop their children off
at school ill, just because they couldn’t take time off from work.
Not only is it sad for the parents, but also the other children in the
classroom are now exposed to added germs as well. Changes need to be
made.”
Apparently lawmakers think it’s a good idea too.
Officials from 11 states are considering a bill that would make paid
sick days a basic labor standard. Even Presidential candidates Hillary
Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama were involved, coming out in support
of mandatory paid sick days. Also Congress may vote on the Healthy
Families Act, which would require businesses with fifteen or more
employees to give workers at least seven paid sick days per year.
These are changes that all should support.
However, businesses don’t need legislation to make a change. A simple
change in company policy is all that is needed to protect the health
and well being of their most valued assets, their employees and their
families. If companies allowed sick days for employees when they kids
were sick, we would see a dramatic drop in diseases, and also
employees would be more satisfied at work.
Some might also find it beneficial to do as Ennen
did and consider working from home. By staying at home, Ennen has
been able to work while caring for three children including her 10-
year-old daughter Amber. “My hours are my own and the flexibility is
just great,” said Ennen. Amber appreciates the added attention she
gets and has told me that one of the greatest things about me working
from home is that I’m there for her when she is sick. For her to
realize that is very gratifying,” added Ennen.
Ennen has been working from home since 1985 when
she decided to quit her job and start her own business as a virtual
assistant, writing press releases, marketing authors and their books
and offering virtual assistant and PR coaching. Ennen has written
several books about starting a virtual assistant business including
Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful Sought
After VA and The Corel Word Perfect, Virtual Assistant Solution
Pack.
To read more about Ennen or view the CBS video
in more detail go to Ennen’s site at Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com |
