Not work-life balance, but work-life synergy makes happier employees
Instead of being fixated on work-life balance, employees today are moving towards integrating work into their daily lives to enhance their productivity and fulfilment.
Priyanka Deshiv, a Mumbai-based content manager at a multinational company, was on a mission to find the elusive work-life balance. She attempted to leave her workplace at 6 pm every day but found herself dealing with more work the next day.
“My fixation to leave the office by a certain hour drove me up the wall. It gave me so much pressure that I ended up having a nervous breakdown. With some assistance from a career counsellor, I realised it wasn't going to work out for me. That's when I switched my approach,” the 32-year-old confesses.
Deshiv now strives to integrate work into her life. On days she can work remotely, she heads to her favourite café and works from there all day, while sipping on her favourite brew and chomping on healthy munchies. She also makes it a point to take frequent breaks between work tasks—either chatting with a friend or reading a few pages of a book.
“This little change has made a huge difference to the way I approach work-life balance now,” she adds.
In environments where employees are expected to be in an ‘always on’ mode, the pursuit of work-life balance can be challenging. Balancing work requires defining a clear boundary between work and personal life—but achieving it is becoming next to impossible now for many.
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“While balance has traditionally been understood as an equal distribution of time, the concept is far more fluid today. It offers employees the flexibility to decide when they want to work and when they can be productive. It is about making work a part of your life,” says Bhakti Talati, an independent work-life balance coach from Mumbai.
The need of the hour
Work-life balance has been projected as an ‘ideal’ for professional fulfilment and personal contentment, however, one can feel pressured to achieve it and feel guilty when unrealised.
“Unmet expectations, blurring boundaries and constant demands at work, as well as the personal front, lead to burnout and mental health issues,” says Prerna Mahindroo, Assistant Professor (Business Analytics), K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai.
Work-life synergy is more feasible in modern, flexible work environments where hybrid and remote work is common and the lines between personal and professional life are blurred. As opposed to work-life balance, the concept focuses on harmoniously integrating work and personal life.
“When employees integrate aspects of their personal lives into their work and vice versa, it is likely to lead to greater job satisfaction, lower stress levels and enhanced overall performance. However, it doesn't work for everyone and every kind of work environment,” shares Ruchi Ruuh, an independent counselling psychologist.
Work-life synergy can be different for each employee, depending on one’s goals, life stage and career aspirations. The concept also takes different forms for leaders and non-leaders due to differences in responsibilities, demands and level of autonomy they have over their schedules, reveals Talati.
“It could mean an equal division of time between work and personal activities for some. For others, it could be three days of work and four days for personal projects and growth. Some can maintain it, some are not there yet. Some do it for a while and then go back to old habits,” she reiterates.
Action is key
Firstly, employees must define their own work-life synergy. Comparing one's life with peers or colleagues, following their routine or trying to implement systems from self-help books is pointless, says Talati.
“Knowing one's priorities allows an individual to decide how much time to invest in work and other activities. Once that's done, it's important to say no and not take on more than what is possible for you,” she advises.
The next step is to decide between negotiable and non-negotiables, and find the boundaries that are flexible. For instance, for some employees, working on a vacation is non-negotiable while working extra hours before going on a break is negotiable.
While employees may have their own approach towards work-life synergy, organisations must also establish policies and practices that facilitate flexibility, such as remote work options, and a culture that respects personal time and boundaries.
Also, companies must go the extra mile to offer stress management workshops, fitness programmes, and access to counselling services to help employees deal with work stress, believes Ruuh.
“At the same time, it's also crucial for companies to have leaders and management who model work-life synergy by respecting boundaries and encouraging time off,” she adds.
Maintaining transparency between the management and employees, and openly communicating challenges and needs, can lead to an affable workplace environment that boosts productivity, advises Mahindroo.
“Employees who experience work-life synergy can contribute beautifully to their personal and professional lives without feeling guilt and frustration. Work-life synergy is not just a possibility; it’s a pathway to a more sustainable and enriching work experience for everyone involved,” she concludes.
Edited by Kanishk Singh