I am noticing a disturbing trend among some very talented professionals that I meet – they are unemployed or noticeably underemployed, by choice.  Yes, by choice!  They choose not to work for companies that believe that a 45-hour workweek is the new part-time.  They choose not to work for companies that are so poorly staffed that they have forced work-life balance to take a very ugly turn.  They choose to step down from leadership roles because today’s corporate expectations are so out-of-whack that it’s impossible to do a superior job and live the life they deserve.

Top talent wants a life. Top talent is exhausted and not willing to tolerate it any longer.  Who decided that working 70+ hours a week is the way it’s supposed to be?  Who decided that every e-mail must be answered immediately…regardless of the time of day?  Who decided that a vibrating cell phone is always more important than the friend or family member you are spending time with?

Corporate types take note: if you want to recruit and retain top talent, you must find ways to create and organize jobs that allow people to live their lives.  Now!  No more excuses.  I know it’s difficult.  So what?  You’re smart – you can figure it out.   Advertise professional jobs that are part-time.  Advertise your willingness to allow a job share.  Get your staffing levels to a point where people can actually accomplish their job in a reasonable amount of time.  Do this and watch your applicant quality skyrocket!

Your top talent will not stay just because you are paying them well.  They will go work for someone else.  They will take a demotion to have a life.  They will choose to stay home because they are no longer willing to put their life on hold for your crazy expectations!  If you think the cost of turnover is high…calculate the cost of top talent turnover.

You:  the stressed out one with the head that’s ready to explode…take a stand!  Put together a plan that makes business sense for your company.  Propose alternatives that will allow you to have a satisfying professional life and a satisfying personal life.  Find someone that is willing to share a job with you.  Find someone who is willing to work the days and hours that you choose not to.  It’s your life.  It’s your career.  Take ownership of it.  Now!  Who says you can’t have it all?