Snow Days Matter!

As a kid growing up, we all hoped for a snow day! We would wait around the radio to waiting for the name of our school to be called out. There was always great anticipation as you heard "1 hour delay" then "2 hour delay" waiting for that one word.....that one word that would make our day.....CANCELLED. As we get older a snow day does not have the same fun anticipation as it once did. Some of us still hope for them and others dread them. As we have grown up, start work, and have children, snow days lose some of their joy. As adults, we are now put in the mindset of wondering if school is cancelled.....what about work?? How will I go to work if my children have no school? Will I lose my job if I have to call off? These thoughts tend to dampen our hopes for a snow day and result in us dreading those words "school is cancelled." As a result, we lose focus on the true joy and value of snow days, so what can help us get that fun back?

I believe snow days are a little way for Mother Nature to tell us we need to stop and smell the freshly fallen snow. Snow days are unplanned days that require us to hunker down in our homes and spend time with our families and loved ones. These are the days we get to snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and enjoy warm drinks with people we care about. We get to go out in a world of white and play with children as if we once again were children. Some people treat snow days as if they are just another day with different stuff. However, those that make the most of these days truly receive the blessing and message that it is the little things in life that bring us the most joy. Most of us work to provide for our families because we love them dearly, so snow days give us that time to put everything aside and become those children we once were.

Although companies and leaders may not realize, they play a large role in our anxiety about snow days. Companies that value their employees and work-life balance understand that taking care of our families is one of the main reasons we work so hard. For companies, it is helpful to not put the added burden on our employees by expecting them to risk coming to work during hazardous weather like snow days. Companies that value their employees will tend to cancel work or be very understanding on these days when employees are unable to dig themselves out, find someone to care for the children out of school, or drive in those conditions. Companies that do this reap the benefits of committed employees that feel their organization cares about them and their well-being. Because if my company doesn't care about my safety and well-being, why would I care about theirs? If you are a company that gilts employees into coming to work in hazardous conditions, you may find your employee morale and commitment is lower than you may want it. So stand up for your employees and be the company that all can be glad they work for because snow days allow employees to take an unplanned rest day where they are more likely to come back refreshed and ready to work.

Snow days are meant to be blessings so.....

To companies...... cancel work and you will be a hero OR allow your employees to make their own decisions about

traveling in hazardous conditions and do not give them flack for it.

To employees and all people.....encourage yourself to enjoy these days to their fullest as if we were children

again....and empower yourself to work for a company that values you, your love

of your family, and your safety.

HAPPY SNOW DAY TO ALL and TO ALL A JOYOUS DAY OF SNOW!!!!!!!