It is considered normal for an employee to have a 6-day workweek in excess of 50 hours per week with no overtime pay. However, in any given instance, the question is not so much about the lack of time management but about getting ourselves accustomed to an unproductive workplace culture. Most organisations and bosses are oblivious to the practice of work-life balance.
What is work-life balance?
It does not involve giving an employee more responsibility or a higher salary and benefits package. It is definitely not having a table-tennis room or an empty top floor for walking and relaxation. On the contrary, under the broad umbrella of human resources, “work-life balance is a concept that allows an employee to maintain a balance between work and other aspects of life in general.” This balance includes having time for family, friends, community service, personal fitness, and spirituality or religion as well.
Consequences of work-life balance
Nutritional deficiency: Nutritionists say that a healthy person eats small meals after every 3 hours to remain energised. However, apart from a selected few who bring food from home, others rely on restaurants and dhabas for their lunches, where not only does hygiene suffer but so does the quality of food being consumed.
Poor health: The saying ‘health is wealth’ is more relevant today than it was in the past. Most people have a desk job with very little physical activity. To make matters worse, many are ignorant about the importance of physical fitness. This leads to further mental exhaustion from work and household responsibilities adds on undue stress, which often leads to chronic problems and severe health concerns.
Fatigue: When a person regularly works for long hours and does not get proper rest, it often takes a toll on the body causing fatigue which can result in low productivity and lack of interest in the job.
Low quality of life: Keeping yourself too occupied at work can have a bad impact on your relationships as you will miss out all the fun and enjoyment with family and friends. This may lead to the person feeling isolated or negatively impact their family life.
Lack of motivation: This usually happens when a person has too much work and is underpaid or when the above problems have taken the multiplier-effect, which can result in absenteeism, lack of interest at work, unprofessional workplace behaviour and further challenges.
Striking the balance and reclaiming control
Care for yourself
Try to get six to eight hours of sleep and develop a healthy lifestyle. Follow a clean diet that emphasises fresh fruits and vegetables and lean protein. Focus on your health and brisk walk for at least 30 minutes on weekdays and 45 minutes on weekends. This can help to recollect thoughts, relax and recharge for the next day.
Set limits
Being a family-person has its merits but no one can guess what really matters to the employee unless it is communicated. Hence, if leaving work at 6pm for a family dinner or an evening out or simply to spend time with kids is important, be transparent about it. Have an open dialogue with managers who need to know that there is life beyond work as well.
Prioritise
Learn to manage time by cutting or delegating activities. There will always be work emails but devote no more than 10 minutes for this task. Do not check emails first thing in the morning or just before leaving work as it will deter you from being proactive about your needs. Instead, check emails late in the morning, after lunch, and late in the day. Limit time-wasting activities and try to maximise time by working on tasks with full concentration.
Learn to say no
Do not be a typical ‘yes man’. The challenge is to learn the art of saying ‘no’. Whether it is a co-worker chatting or asking for favours, or someone asking for support on an extra task/project, a respectful ‘no’ is far better than feeling a false sense of gratitude and ignoring personal commitments.
Be focused
Personal problems should be left at home before arriving for work, likewise work-related issues should stay limited to your office. It is necessary to maintain this boundary to avoid conflict as it is your own personal decision to work and not an obligation.
Recharge
Everyone needs a getaway and what better way than making time for family and friends? Plan an activity like going to a park, watching a movie, dining out, or simply strolling at the beach. Do not let the weekend end without spending quality time as it will help boost energy and give an incentive by looking forward to the next weekend and so on. The key here is to relax and enjoy without any distractions.
Remember, a healthy work-life balance does not happen overnight since it is a gradual process. In order to be successful, it is important to periodically examine your progress and make the necessary changes to ensure a long, healthy, productive and happy life. However, no one can do it alone but if employers truly expect to retain top employees and tackle organisational challenges such as absenteeism and high turnover, they need to assist their employees by creating an organisational culture in which work-life balance is supported.
According to Financial Review, Price Waterhouse Cooper recently decided to extend flexible working hours by developing a strategy that would attract highly-qualified staff by allowing them to set their own working hours. This proves that work-life balance is not a myth and that there are other ways of ensuring job satisfaction than an attractive salary and fringe benefits. Organisations and its leaders use strategies such as flexible work schedules, paid time off, health and wellness policies, personal and professional development opportunities, and company-sponsored family events to promote this way of life, which can be a challenge, yet one that can be met.
Moez Allidina is an OD Trainer at Maktab Learning Solutions, and works as Lecturer in Management.
Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, September 13th, 2015.
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