Work Life Balance: Where's the Balance?

“A true balance between work and life comes with knowing that your life activities are integrated, not separated.” - Michael Thomas Sunnarborg
 

Organisations today have almost overpowered individuals to such an extent, that people are having to live their life between work. A typical day for an individual, lucky enough to be employed, would consist of 8 hours work, 2 hours commute and 6-8 hours sleep, leaving about 4-6 hours of life.

So where's the balance?

Working 8 hours per day to hardly fund 4 hours of life, and then you say 8 hour days no longer exist, thanks to information technology. While you may argue, organisations now have a menu style work-life balance initiatives from annual leave to spa packages, in my opinion, that is not work-life balance.

Corporate Work-Life Balance

Oh I am not feeling well today, is it okay to skip work today or go to the office for half day without having to go through sickness absence administration?
Darn it, I forgot it was my niece's birthday this friday, can I just finish work early, without having to call three line managers to authorise it?

Just got an offer of tickets for United's game next tuesday, but damn can I have a day off without having to give at least 3 week notice to the employer?!!

That is not a solution. It's merely a corporate dictatorship, instructing you the first time you can have a lazy day at home won't be until next three weeks given that you submit holiday request form today. How about I ask the employer where the organisation will be in next three weeks? It won't have a clue!

Understand and Empower

Organisations, and specially managers, must understand the essence of work-life balance and flexibility in the workplace. Employees must be encouraged to manage their lives the way they feel will give out the best performance. Even the drivers in Formula 1 racing need to replace there tyres 3-4 times to get the best out of them, all before they wear off!

Work life balance, in my opinion, is the power which should be granted to employees to control their work as well as their personal life. It's not work-life balance if the employer dictates when and for how long you can go on a camping holiday!

We have come a long way from rigid working patterns and fixed terms of employment, but now steps must be taken in the right direction to integrate the information technology with work, preferably, for the good of the people.

Lively People. Lively Organisation.


This is Nauman Wasif