“In the end, only senior executives can embed the necessary cultural change,” Cahill says. “That means the CEO personally should take advantage of work-life policies—and let everybody in the company know about it. Only then will workers throughout the company feel secure in relying on policies that will enhance their value to the company over the long run.”
Perhaps controversially, Cahill recommends vacations form part of performance reviews, including the CEO’s. Those failing to take their full leave quota would get a black mark against their name, possibly losing out on a pay increase.
Americans took an average of 16.2 vacation days last year, down from an average of 20.3 days between 1976 and 2000, according to a recent study by lobby group Project Time Off.
There are signs, however, that companies are starting to offer a better deal, at least to the rank and file. A survey of 1,500 company leaders released this month by human resources consultancy Mercer discovered 42% encouraged fathers to take paternity leave. Other non-traditional benefits increasingly being offered by companies include parental leave for part-time employees, adoption leave and time away to care for sick or elderly relatives.
But for CEOs themselves, it appears they have some work to do when it comes to not working as much. A recent investigation of U.S. company filings by Bloomberg identified a large group of leaders who are owed thousands of dollars for unused vacation time.
Whole Foods CEO Walter Robb, for example, has accrued 2,703 hours of unused vacation leave, or the equivalent of 338 eight-hour days, over several decades. Other CEOs found to have amassed tons of leave include Qualcomm’s Steven Mollenkopf, HCA Holdings’ R. Milton Johnson and Apple’s Tim Cook.
At the other end of the spectrum is Netflix’s Reed Hastings, who told a conference last year that he takes off about six weeks a year, and lets staff know about it to set an example.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
