Some working fathers want to take on the stay-at-home parent role. Thirty-seven percent of respondents, according to a CareerBuilder.com survey that questioned 955 male employees, say they would quit their jobs if their significant other's income could financially support the family. And 37 percent of working dads are willing to take a pay cut if it meant spending more time with their children.

Attempting to find a work/life balance can be a difficult task. Twenty-two percent of respondents say their jobs have impacted their relationships with their kids. Forty-six percent of dads didn't attend an important event in their child's life due to work, while 26 percent missed more than three special occasions.

Most fathers (55 percent) want their companies to help them build a better work/life balance, according to an Adecco USA Workplace Insight survey. Working fathers agree with working mothers when it comes to finding stability with both home life and work. Sixty-four percent of working dads and 77 percent of working moms say that handling family lives is more difficult than managing their careers.

"The perception that the work/life balance is mainly a female struggle no longer holds up in today's workplace," says Rich Thompson, vice president of training and development for Adecco Group North America.

"As moms and dads continue to more equally share responsibilities both at home and at the office, employers need to be mindful of this and ensure that they offer work/life benefits that are inclusive of both groups."

Most fathers bring work home with them. Fifty percent of respondents say they are likely to work later or respond to e-mails after hours. And 24 percent of working dads bring work home at least once a week, according to the CareerBuilder.com survey. A majority of dads (47 percent) are spending fewer than three hours per day with their children.

Richard Castellini, vice president of consumer marketing at CareerBuilder.com and a father of three, suggests tips for working fathers to achieve a better work/life balance:

- Check in with the family. Stay up to date on home and school occurrences.

- Develop one calendar for home use: Put up a calendar for scheduling business functions, sports or other activities. This will help eliminate schedule conflicts.

- Do work at home after dark: When you must work from home, try to save it until the kids go to bed.

- Plan family activities to make sure you will spend time together.

- Bring your family to the office. They can meet your co-workers and see your working area.

"As a father, I can say firsthand that becoming a parent can enhance one's life in a variety of ways, and career is certainly one of them if you can find the right dose of work and family balance," says Thompson.

For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com and www.adeccousa.com.

WORKPLACE AFFECTS MOOD

Noisy, dark or crowded workplace environments may impact worker productivity. Seventy-five percent of workers, according to a survey by Ambius that questioned 426 employees, say that the office surroundings make work more of an enjoyable place. And 62 percent of respondents agree that they would be more productive if their employer improved the office atmosphere.

More than 71 percent of workers say that the working environment has a significant impact on employee motivation and contentment. Twenty-five percent of respondents depict their working atmosphere as depressing. Lack of greenery, ventilation and natural light add to the gloomy environment. These workers would prefer plants and flowers, colored walls and open windows to create a more enjoyable workplace.

And 73 percent of workers say office atmosphere is important when interviewing at a potential company.

"This research clearly indicates that office environments with natural light, views of greenery and attractive color schemes are a critical element to attracting and retaining valuable employees," says Sally Briese, president of Ambius.

A depressing office environment may lead to more sicknesses among employees. Seventy-five percent of workers that sit in a dull atmosphere have had at least one a sick day in the last year, compared to 60 percent of employees who work in a relaxing environment.

For more information, visit www.ambius.com.

E-mail Amy Winter at amy.winter@copleynews.com or write to P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112.

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