In an era when work and life blend seamlessly together and productivity expectations are at an all-time high, elected officials are searching for ways to improve work-life balance for millions of Americans. Last week, recently nominated Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, and Vice President Joe Biden took a stand for more time with family, sparking lively conversations about this growing concern. In this Weekly Wrap, we will discuss the ramifications, both potential and immediate, of their remarks.
Last week, Paul Ryan, declared that his acceptance of the Speaker of the House nomination was dependent upon whether he’d be granted less time on the road in order to spend more time with his family. Because of his powerful position, it is predicted that his thoughts on work-life balance will be highly influential. Though Ryan previously voted against a proposal that would have given federal workers four weeks of paid parental leave, his recent remarks may prevent him from voting against such issues in the future.
Recently, Joe Biden announced that he would not run for president in order to recover from his son’s death. His 46-year-old son, Beau, passed away from brain cancer this past summer. This loss comes many years after the loss of his son and first-wife in a tragic car accident. Following their deaths, Biden made a concerted effort to support his children, despite his rising political career. Years later, he is making a similar decision to support his son Beau’s surviving family.
What are your thoughts on the recent emphasis on work-life balance? Is there a place for this issue in politics? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Samantha Peer is an intern at WordWrite Communications. She can be reached at samantha.peer@wordwritepr.com or on Twitter, @sam_peer.
