Written By:
Lauren Pflug: Senior Content Strategist, Blueprint Evolution
Although it may seem like work-life balance is a relatively new concept, the idea of putting a limit on the time spent at/on work dates back to the late 1800s.
In the Progressive Era (1890-1920), there were many groups that organized to fight against low wages, long hours, and child labor. In 1938 the Fair Labor Standards Act was established to enact a 44-hour work week. When the Women’s Liberation Movement was taking place in the 1980s, work-life balance was once again brought to the spotlight. Women fought for accommodation in the workforce, wanted flexible schedules, and started to push for maternity leave. This idea originally was created to support women, who were expected to not only succeed in their careers, but also manage their homes and families. It wasn’t long before these benefits grew to accommodate professionals of all genders.
By the late 20th century, the notion of this balance between work and personal life to increase well-being was a widespread desire (Raja, S. & Stein, S., 2014).
It appears that human beings have long felt the need to fight for their right to spend their lives living and not just working.
This isn’t a new concept, but unfortunately the current costs of living are causing people to hardly live and barely survive. In case you’ve been living under a rock, let’s do some comparisons.
In 1970, the average middle-class household income was $54,700. The average cost of a home was $23,400. If these numbers were adjusted for inflation today, the average household income would be $425,000 and the average cost of a home would be $183,000. Herein lies the issue.
The reality is that today, the average household income is $88,000, while the average cost of a home is $348,000. Do we see how these numbers aren’t adding up? (The math ain’t mathing!)
The cost of a home should be about 43% of the income. Instead, we’re looking at homes that cost almost 400% of your salary.
This piece isn’t about the discrepancies of inflation, but if we’re talking about work-life balance, it would be ignorant to avoid that aspect. I acknowledge that there are many people who don’t have the privilege of a work-life balance; affording to live in this climate is a challenge. I’ll argue that although the desire for balance isn’t new, it’s more important now than ever.
People are working, and they’re working hard. You can’t blame them for wanting a chance to experience and enjoy life as well.
So, what exactly is work-life balance? People typically describe a balanced life as being able to make a real impact at work and in the lives of the people they love (whether it’s their relationships, kids, or family). They want to be present and prioritize what is important to them. They want to feel secure in their boundaries and feel empowered to enforce them. There is a big social shift in letting go of “hustle culture.” There is absolutely nothing wrong with working hard and fearlessly pursuing your passions… but the idea of having and doing it all at the expense of your mental health is no longer desirable.
People. Want. Balance.
It is no surprise that the adaptations made during the pandemic sparked some serious thought in regard to how we were working and living. Flexible, remote work was the only option. Our world was flipped upside down and the parameters surrounding how work got done were loosened. The flexibility given toward work schedules proved to be beneficial for leaders and employees alike. Although hybrid working was born in the 1990s, it is now the new normal (de Bree, T. 2022). People do still enjoy the structure of going into work, but about 35% of workers who can do their jobs remotely choose to do so at home.
About a third of hybrid workers required to show face would prefer to spend more time working at home (Parker, K. 2023). If you feel as though you need more flexibility in your schedule, ask for it. Work-life policies are becoming more common in the workforce. Research shows that people with flexible work schedules are not only more productive, but more likely to be loyal to their employers. (Mental Health America)
This work model has many benefits, but also comes with downfalls. If you are able to do 100% of your work from home, in terms of clocking out, the lines can get blurred. If your boundaries around work don’t exist or aren’t respected, there’s room to be taken advantage of.
Establishing firm boundaries with your time is the foundation of work-life balance. You exchange your time for money. You should not donate your personal time for free, even when you are passionate about your work. If you are asked to work overtime, even paid, you are not required to fulfill that request. Understaffing or managerial overcommitting is not your responsibility.
When an employee is stretched too thin, it hurts the employee and the employer. Learning to say “no” to protect your personal time is imperative for work-life balance. (We understand that this can be challenging due to a variety of factors.)
We know that work-life balance benefits colleagues at all levels. So, how do we promote it? In terms of work, daily goals should be manageable. It feels good to crush the tasks you set out to accomplish, it helps you feel in control. When we feel in control, we feel less stressed.
Use and divide your time efficiently. Priorities should come first, and if colleagues feel overwhelmed with tasks that seem unnecessary, a transparent, open line of communication should be established so that they can voice these concerns.
5 minute breaks should be encouraged and utilized. A quick change of environment, whether that’s a stroll outside or down the hall, will boost all of the ‘good’ brain chemicals and leave you in a better headspace afterwards.
Communication is key.
A good leader will ensure that you feel comfortable approaching them if you’re having an issue or if you’ve found an alternate solution. Honesty is always important, but remember to be self aware and keep an open mind to see things from all perspectives.
A balanced work life is great, but what about your personal life? Boundaries are important in every aspect of living. We often want to make the most of the time we have away from work– and we should! But if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with social commitments, it may be time to reflect on your ability to say “no” to friends as well.
Try to prioritize time for yourself where you can unplug (especially if all of your work is done digitally) and actually relax. Many have found that proactively scheduling this time for themselves can be helpful; you deserve a spot on that calendar too!
Responsibilities at home pile up fast. Delegating manageable tasks is important to help prevent you from falling too far behind. Remember: there is no such thing as gendered chores at home. If that sentence struck a chord with you, it might be time for a conversation!
Finally, and most importantly, make sure you’re treating your body well. Nourish yourself, move your body (if you’re able), and rest! Listen to your body; an exhausted one will always let you know. Taking care of your body includes your mental health. Utilize your resources, lean on your support system and make it a point to have honest, meaningful conversation. Research shows a correlation between mental wellness and good physical health. (Mental Health Foundation)
For more information on work-life balance, check out:
- https://mhanational.org/work-life-balance
- https://www.coursecorrectioncoaching.com/reasons-why-work-life-balance-is-important/
- https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/physical-health-and-mental-health
We know maintaining work-life balance benefits everyone. If you feel like you’re struggling to keep your head above water, either at work or at home, ask for help. Many companies offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that can provide you with the resources you need. If yours does, utilize it, that’s what it’s there for! Unfortunately, companies and organizations are not required to offer EAPs. If you’re an employer currently doing so, I encourage you to look into it. When employees feel supported, they are far more likely to thrive.
For more information on EAPs, please visit https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/hr-qa/pages/whatisaneap.aspx
Sources:
- Raja, S. & Stein, S. (2014). Work-Life Balance: History, Costs, and Budgeting for Balance. Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4079063/#:~:text=The%20concept%20of%20work%E2%80%93life,women%20and%20children%20were%20restricted
- U.S. Housing Market Conditions Historical Data. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Policy Development and Research.
- World Population Review
- Review (2105). The American Middle Class is Losing Ground. Pew Research Center.
- de Bree, T. (2022). A Short History of Hybrid Working and Working at Home. LinkedIn.
- Parker, K. (2023). About a Third of U.S. Workers Who Can Work From Home Now Do So All The Time. Pew Research Center.
- Work Life Balance. Mental Health America.
- Moulder, H. 10 Reasons Why Work Life Balance Is Important.
- Physical Health and Mental Health. Mental Health Foundation.
- Images courtesy of Canva
