This document discusses work-life balance and its influence on employee performance. It defines work-life balance as achieving satisfaction in both work and personal life spheres. A history of work-life balance issues is provided dating back to labor movements in the late 1800s fighting for an 8-hour workday. Reasons for imbalance like long hours and responsibilities at work and home are explained. Risks of poor work-life balance include health issues, conflicts, and lower performance. Solutions proposed are flexible schedules, time-off, and family-friendly policies. Benefits discussed are improved productivity, retention, health and morale. Recommendations target both employers to provide support and employees to maintain boundaries and self-care.
4. What is Work Life Balance?
Work Life balance is a phenomenon that occurs to
those who are gainfully employed and have to
manage their personal life.
We are all engaged in a number of roles everyday
and we hold a number of roles throughout our life.
Life conflict occurs when we are unable to give our
“many roles” required time and energy as a result of
which participation in one role is made increasingly
difficult by participation in another. So, there is a
need of Work life balance.
Work life balance is the daily Achievement and
Enjoyment in all spheres of life namely work,
family, friends, health and spirit.
5. History of Work Life Balance
• The history of the world holiday on the 1st May - May Day, or
International Workers Day, held in commemoration of four anarchists
executed for struggling for an 8-hour day. Originally a pagan holiday,
the roots of the modern May Day bank holiday are in the fight for the
eight-hour working day in Chicago in 1886, and the subsequent
execution of innocent anarchist workers.
• In 1887, four Chicago anarchists were executed; a fifth cheated the
hangman by killing himself in prison. Three more were to spend 6
years in prison until pardoned by Governor Altgeld who said the trial
that convicted them was characterised by "hysteria, packed juries and
a biased judge". The state had, in the words of the prosecution put
"Anarchy is on trial“ and hoped their deaths would also be the death
of the anarchist idea.
6. Reasons for imbalance
Increased responsibilities at work
Increased responsibilities at home
Longer working hours
Personal Mindset
8. Women and Work Life Balance (contd.)
Times are changing from
traditional where the husband
earned, and the wife stayed at
home to the modern when the
husband earns and the wife earns
too. But the wife still cooks, washes
and runs the house. Although
women have started spreading her
wings in all spheres of life but the
traditional concept of the women
as the homemaker has not gone
away from people’s mind. So,
today’s women are striving
continuously for “Work Life
Balance”
9. Women and Work Life Balance
As already stated before Work life balance is not
equal balance between work and personal
activities. Life is and should be more flexible than
this.
Our work life balance will vary from time to time,
it may often vary day to day.
What is right balance for today may be different
tomorrow.
The right balances when we are single will be
different when we get married or if we get
children.
So work life balance will be different at different
quadrants of life on the basis of priorities.
Our aim will be the fullest achievement and
enjoyment in all our spheres of life.
10. Benefits of Work-life Balance
To Employees
Improved on-the-job and
off-the-job relationship
Self-Satisfaction
Improvements in ones’
health and well-being
Reduced stress.
More value and balance in
daily life
To Organization
Increased productivity
A reduction in staff turnover
and recruitment costs
Less negative organizational
stress
Improved morale
Better team work and
communication
11. Solutions to Prevent Imbalance (contd.)
Time management
Use technology
Flexible Schedule
Job sharing
Paid childbirth or adoption leave
Allow employees for community service.
12. Solutions to Prevent Imbalance
Describe the Causes of Stress in Workplace
Sponsoring employees’ family-oriented
activities.
Know it won’t always be perfect
Be present, consistent and accountable
Be flexible
Set boundaries and learn to say No.
13. Recommendations for employers
Devote more resources to improving
“people management” practices within the
workplace. Employees who work for a
supportive manager
Flexible timings.
Facilities for child care.
Encouraging employees to use the supports that are readily available
and ensure that employees who could make use of such assistance do
not feel that their career prospects would be jeopardized by doing so.
Leave plans - both paid and unpaid - to suit employee's needs
etc.
Examine employee workload concerns.
14. Recommendations for employees
Take full advantage of what support policies exist
within your organization.
The key is not only knowing your priorities, but
devoting your full attention to just one priority at a
time. "Split your time and your mind so that you're
thinking about work when you're at work and you're
paying attention to the baby when you're with him /
her."
Devote at least 30 minutes to yourself in the form of
yoga, listening to your favourite music or in your
hobby. This helps to reduce stress.
Try to leave your workplace on time at least twice a
week.
Schedule sometime with friend and family at least
once in a month.
15. Emotional maturities that need to consider
a. Unselfish in sharing information
b. Acts wisely in human relations
c. Ability to tolerate other's disagreements or behaviors
without losing control or lashing out
d. Confidence
e. Commitment
f. Ability to express your feelings appropriately
g. Ability to recognize that no one is responsible for your
emotional state
h. Ability to forgive
i. Self-motivated
j. Sensitive to others' feelings and concerns
k. Appreciates the differences in people