Dear Reader,

Early in my career, I had the privilege of working with one of the smartest, most hard-working people I have ever known. This person taught me so much… about accuracy and integrity, about taking pride in your work and the importance of professionalism. Mostly, though, I learned I never wanted to work in that type of environment again.

You see, alongside all the positives of that experience came an expectation that work trumped all else.

We worked nights (so late they were sometimes early mornings), weekends (Saturdays and Sundays, after working all week) and holidays. One of my co-workers had a young daughter who called, crying, because she wanted mommy to come ice skating with her. It was a perfect January weekend afternoon. The boss sighed, said “poor little thing”… but clearly expected mom to keep working. And she did. We all did—but none of us worked harder than the boss. They set the example we strove to live up to.

When my contract was over, I could only wonder at how thoroughly I had bought into that culture. It was an employer’s market at the time and work was hard to come by, so I knew I was lucky to have a job. But I also deserved to have a life.

When I started with Atlantic Business Magazine 24 years ago, I was shocked by Edwina and Hubert Hutton’s work culture. No matter what we were doing at the office or how close we were to deadline, we were always told (encouraged, even) to take care of ourselves and our family first. Need time off for a sick child or a school concert? Not a problem. It was the same for people with new puppies, or ailing parents, or busted pipes… they put life before work, always.

I still remember my first Christmas with the magazine. I couldn’t believe it when they said the business would shut down for the holidays (a full 12 days, with pay!). Then, when I came to work on December 22, they took all the staff out to lunch, gave everyone a present… and sent us home early! I’m not exaggerating when I say I cried a little that day.

From that day to this, I have loved this company and its work culture. When Tonia Sheridan and I took over this company two years ago, we knew there were things we would change… but the “family first” ethos is sacrosanct.

From our family to yours, we wish you all the joys of this holiday season. And please, make time to give yourself a break. You deserve it.

 

Dawn Chafe Executive editor & co-owner dchafe@atlanticbusinessmagazine.ca