Recalculating Work-Life Balance
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I recently spoke to someone who called talk of work-life balance, more or less, hooey. He felt that the topic gets a rather tired treatment in the news, often focused exclusively on the difficulties working mothers have balancing everything on their plate, while there were plenty of people who desired balance for less valiant, but equally valid reasons, and that the news generally had an anti-work bent, as if the goal were to work as little as possible. It got me thinking that the topic is inaccurately labeled an issue of "balance." Most people like their jobs, and are not going to mind putting some extra time in to make sure that it is done well. What people are actually striving for is the chance to take control of the schedules they keep, and relief when months of incessant 12-hour workdays clearly evidence that a company needs to hire more help. This sentiment is echoed in a poll released Sept. 12 by Dice.com, an IT job board. In it, only half of responding IT professionals said that they considered work-life balance an important aspect of their jobs, evidenced by 52 percent saying that they'd taken vacation time this summer. One-third (32 percent) also said they went away, but they checked in with the office while they were gone. Many would jump to the conclusion that those who checked in with their offices while they were gone did not have a fair amount of work-life balance, yet professionals say again and again that in many cases, checking in helps them vacation better and with a freer mind, assured that they will not be returning to workplace chaos. Evidencing this, a December 2006 survey found that 80 percent of workers said that their Blackberrys were not ball-and-chains, but technology that allowed greater work flexibility (80 percent). Personally, I'm more concerned about the 16 percent of IT pros that responded to Dice's poll saying that they found taking time off to be "too much trouble. I'd rather be working." Work dedication is good, no question, but choosing a cubicle over a beach in Bermuda seems excessive. |
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Comments (3)
The problem with surveys is that many of them are very poorly done. The report that "Evidencing this, a December 2006 survey found that 80 percent of workers said that their Blackberrys were not ball-and-chains, but technology that allowed greater work flexibility (80 percent)." fails to address those people who gave up Blackberrys for the very reason they were considered balls and chains, doesn't address similar means of electronic communications, and appears to be a survey of all workers when in reality is only those workers who have blackberries.
Posted by Michael D. Houst | September 17, 2007 7:44 AM
Work life balance is exactly that. Living to work is different than working to live. This is the first survey I have read that supported more hours available at work and less time AWAY from work was OK ??
I do NOT need to spend time with my kids ?
I do NOT need to see my spouse except sleeping ?
I do NOT need hobbies or take care of my health, family or any religious affiliation ?
Whats alotta hooey is the brash ignorance of an article avoiding known psychological truths.
Humans did NOT evolve to live like this with little to no break in stressors.
There are more people in therapy, more use of anti depressants, anti anxiety, heart problems, stomach problems, divorce , suicide than ever in American history.
This article more resembles an infomercial subvertly paid for by WallStreet than real information. You know .. those people who make billions AND die at 30 ?
Smart people want to live and that means logging off and ENJOYING the life we work so hard for.
Posted by David Wilson | September 18, 2007 2:17 PM
I think the key to what needs to be discussed is balance versus control and choice. Deb mentioned that. Balance assumes some equality. For many that's not the issue at all. Having control over your work and personal schedules and having choices of how to handle the two sides are imperative to many. When control is absent we often feel frustrated, lost, or dissatisfied. I like working. My job is wonderful and I don't mind putting in a few more hours as I feel is needed. Granted my supervisor frowns on extra hours. However, I have quite a bit of flexibility in my schedule and the tasks that I perform. I also know that at any time I could change my employer if I so choose. We all have that choice. It just might be more difficult for some of us to arrange. We are all individuals with individual needs and desires. So "balance" seems to be a symantic issue. "Control" and "choice" might help to clarify the real issues.
I've done the working mother scene and I sure wouldn't want to go back. Lack of choice in my work schedule and lack of control were far more important detriments to my peace than balance. I didn't need at that time equal consideration, I needed a "wife" and nanny. Given the choice, I would prefer to work on most projects at odd hours, like when my family is sleeping, then be able to take an afternoon off for shopping. I prefer control and choice, not being told I need to balance. I don't necessarily want to give equal consideration to my work and family.
Since my kids are now gone, I like and want more time for work, family duties are winding down and the rewards of my work are well worth the time and energy I spend. Control and choice are were it's at!
Posted by Angie Koponen | September 20, 2007 1:09 PM