“The Importance of Work-Life-Balance”

1 IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668. Volume 14, Issue 3 (Nov. - Dec. 2013), PP 31-35 31 | Page The Importance of Work- life - balance 1Ms. S. Pattu Meenakshi, 2Mr. Venkata Subrahmanyam C. V., 3Dr. K. Ravichandran 1 Research Scholar, Department of Management Studies,Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021 2 Research Scholar, Department of Entrepreneurship Studies,Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021 3 Professor & Head, Department of Entrepreneurship Studies,Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021 Abstract: balance in work and family life is an emerging challenge for both employees and employers.

2 This conceptual paper on WLB gives a framework on the meaning and Importance of WLB in current scenario. It throws light on the effects of poor WLB and also gives suggestions to overcome those obstacles. Also views on WLB by both the organization and the employees are highlighted in this paper. This pays way for the reader to have an in-depth knowledge about the necessity of balancing one s own work life and personal life and there by gives opportunities to bring out further research on this topic. Keywords: Work- life balance ;WLB in India; Work life balance ; WLB; Organization; Family; Policies; Management; I.

3 Introduction The term "WORK- life balance (WLB)" was coined in 1986, although its usage in everyday language was being made for a number of years. Interestingly, work/ life programs existed as early as the 1930s. The policies and procedures established by an organization with the goal to enable employees to efficiently do their jobs and at the same time provide flexibility to handle personal concerns or problems at their family front In fact; dual-wage-earning families in general are working longer hours. A balance work and life is supposed to exist when there is a proper functioning at work and at home with a minimum of role conflict.

4 Therefore, the incompatibility between the demands from the work and non-work domain give rise to conflict and consequently, people experience a lack of WLB. There is confirmation of the fact that people entering the workforce today are laying emphasis on the Importance of WLB more than their predecessors. In spite of this, the extent to which this balance is being achieved is far less than what is desired. In fact, researches bring to mind that graduates are being drawn into situations where they have to work for progressively longer hours and so experience an increasingly unsatisfactory balance between home life and work- life .

5 II. What Does Work- life balance Really Mean? Wehavea work life . Wehavea home life . Andwehave, inallprobability, forgottenhowtokeepthemseparate. Climbing the organizational ladder often requires employees to work long hours and deal with difficult and complex issues. Some days on the job are likely fun and positive and other days are tension-filled and stressful. A common dilemma for many people is how they manage all of the competing demands in work and life and avoid letting any negative effects of work spill over into their personal lives.

6 Research has in fact shown that employees who believe they do not have time for the personal life feel drained and distracted while they are at work. In addition, the spillover of negative aspect of work into an employee s personal life can lead to job exhaustion, disruption of relationships with family and friends, loss of enjoyment, and increased balance is about creating and maintaining supportive and healthy work environments, which will enable employees to have balance between work and personal responsibilities and thus strengthen employee loyalty and productivity.

7 Numerous studies have been conducted on work- life balance . According to a major Canadian study conducted by Lowe (2005), 1 in 4 employees experience high levels of conflict between work and family, based on work-to-family interference and caregiver strain. If role overload is included, then close to 60 percent of employees surveyed experience work-family conflict. However, some people appear to manage career success and a positive private life with ease. III. Work- life balance Definition Experts say there is no single definition and some don't even like to use the phrase.

8 But generally they agree work- life balance translates to satisfaction with one's entire life -- professional and personal -- and it can be reached even while working long hours. Let's first define what work- life balance is not: 1. Work- life balance does not mean an equal balance . Trying to schedule an equal number of hours for each of your various work and personal activities is usually unrewarding and unrealistic. life is and should be more fluid than that. The Importance Of Work- life - balance 32 | Page 2.

9 Your best individual work- life balance will vary over time, often on a daily basis. The right balance for you today will probably be different for you tomorrow. The right balances for you when you are single will be different when you marry, or if you have children; when you start a new career versus when you are nearing retirement. 3. There is no perfect, one-size fits all, balance you should be striving for. The best work- life balance is different for each of us because we all have different priorities and different lives.

10 However, WLB is defined as - The amount of time you spend doing your job compared with the amount of timeyou spend with your family and doing things you enjoy. 1It can be difficult to get the right work- life balance . Experts say success lies not only in carefully defining how you want to spend your time, but in making sure you adjust your life and work as your needs change. Sometimes even small changes can make a difference. An unmanageable schedule and out-of-control home life can lead to depression, poor performance at work, and conflict with family and a feeling of burnout that can lead physicians to question whether to stay in medicine at all.