Supporting Dual-Career Couples at Work and Home

Have you spoken to your employer about benefit services that support the most common challenges dual career couples face? If not, you should, and here’s why.

Organizations that prioritize employee wellbeing realize tangible benefits. Thriving employees are not only healthier but also more engaged, innovative, and productive. In the contemporary workplace, employee wellbeing has emerged as a fundamental element of sustainable organizational performance.

However, recent findings from Gallup indicate a troubling trend: only 50% of employees in the United States report thriving in their overall lives, which represents the lowest level recorded since 2009.

Additionally, there is a notable decline in the number of employees who perceive their organizations as genuinely concerned for their wellbeing, particularly when compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The correlation between wellbeing and employee performance is well-established.

Employees who are thriving are less likely to experience absenteeism due to health-related issues and are more inclined to remain with their current employer.

For organizations seeking to enhance retention, productivity, and engagement, the cultivation of a wellbeing-centric culture is imperative.

One innovative strategy to address this challenge is to empower dual-career couples with the necessary tools to collaboratively manage their financial and domestic responsibilities.

Rationale for Focusing on Dual-Career Couples

Dual-career couples constitute a substantial segment of the workforce and encounter distinct challenges as they strive to balance their professional commitments with financial planning and household management.

The stressors associated with balancing these responsibilities can adversely affect their work performance, focus, and overall morale.

Organizations that recognize and address these challenges can create a significant ripple effect: enhancing employee wellbeing, fostering loyalty, and cultivating a positive workplace culture.

By providing resources and support that extend beyond traditional workplace boundaries, organizations demonstrate a genuine commitment to their employees' holistic lives, not solely their professional performance.

Building a Culture of Wellbeing: Practical Recommendations for Employers

1. Empower Employees with Relational Financial Literacy

Addressing the relational aspect of managing money is crucial, as financial disagreements are a leading cause of marital conflict and divorce. Open discussions about finances can reduce stress and strengthen relationships by fostering trust and shared goals. 

Moreover, financial well-being extends beyond personal relationships; employees with sound financial health are more productive at work, as financial distress can diminish productivity and increase absenteeism. 

There are research-based strategies for collaboratively managing finances which couples can use to enhance both their personal relationships and professional performance.

2. Provide Instruction for Teamwork in Household Management

Managing domestic responsibilities can present significant challenges, particularly for couples with demanding professional lives. A new study conducted by Harvard Business School suggests that as many as 25% of married couples end their relationship over chores.

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Related: Explore teamwork ideas in marriage in our Household Chores page.

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The Advantages of Investing in Employee Wellbeing

As the workplace continues to evolve, so too must strategies aimed at supporting employees. Developing a culture of wellbeing that exceeds current initiatives is not merely an aspirational objective—it is a business necessity.

By equipping dual-career couples with resources to manage their financial and domestic lives, employers can address a crucial facet of employee wellbeing that is frequently overlooked.

Leadership has the opportunity to redefine what it means to care for their teams. By advancing beyond conventional employee benefits and addressing the comprehensive needs of personnel, organizations can cultivate a thriving workforce that is engaged and productive.

How to Bring Solutions to Your Marriage Through Your Employer

I am working with a number of leaders to provide employees through employers solutions to support busy dual career couples who want to excel in their careers. Here are a few examples:

• Equal Partnership in the Home with Dr. Kate Mangino

• Helping Men Accept Being Caregivers at Home and Allies to Working Moms in the Office with Paul Sullivan

• Home Partnership Conversations Using Persist with Ellie Windle

Contact me to learn more.