Studies show that finding a proper work-life balance is mutually beneficial to individuals, their employers and society. But, the question of how to achieve work-life balance in today’s fast paced world is not an easy one to answer.
“Many mistakenly think of work-life balance as something an employer must do for employees when, in fact, work-life balance is a two-prong approach,” says Amy Broadbent, the vice president of JRG Advisors, the management company for ChamberChoice. “One prong involves work-place initiatives and the other prong, which people often overlook, relates to what individuals do for themselves.”
Smart Business spoke to Broadbent about work-life balance and what employers and employees can do to improve it.
Why has work-life balance become an issue?
Years ago, experts predicted that advancements with technology would eliminate most household chores and alleviate work-related stress due to improved efficiencies, simplified processes and so on — ultimately providing people with more time to enjoy family and leisure activities. Well, technology has surely advanced, as has the intensity and competitiveness of the work environment. The struggle to find balance among work (career and ambition) and life (leisure, pleasure and family) has, arguably, taken on new meaning as today’s work ethic has been elevated to unprecedented heights.
Over the past two decades, we have become increasingly ambitious, and somewhere along the way, life was put on the back burner as 60- and 70-hour workweeks became the norm. According to a survey conducted by the National Life Insurance Company, four out of 10 employees state that their jobs are ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ stressful. Many Americans are experiencing burnout due to overwork and increased stress. This condition is seen in nearly all occupations, from blue-collar workers to upper management. The number of stress-related disability claims by American employees has doubled. Studies show that 75 to 95 percent of physician visits are related to stress and, according to the American Institute of Stress, the cost to businesses has been an estimated $200 to $300 billion a year.
Our habits are having adverse effects and it is clear that problems caused by stress have become a major concern to both employers and employees. Symptoms of stress are manifested both physiologically and psychologically. Persistent stress can result in cardiovascular disease, a weaker immune system, frequent headaches, stiff muscles and backaches. It can also result in poor coping skills, irritability, anxiety, insecurity, exhaustion and difficulty concentrating. Stress may also lead to binge eating, smoking and alcohol consumption. Recent studies show that the workplace has become the single greatest source of stress.
