Work-Life Balance
Definition: Organizational Behavior defines Work-Life Balance as “the degree to which a person minimizes conflict between work and nonwork demands” (McShane & Von Glinow, 2018, p.9).
Summary: In the article, “Achieve Work-Life Balance”, the author, Giselle Schlegel (2017), reflects on finding and maintaining a balance in life. The author speaks on how important it is to maintain that balance, “but few of us put a conscious effort into achieving” (2017, p.52). She raises some concerns about how technology has kept us constantly plugged into our jobs, and how it has blurred the lines between our jobs and life (Schlegel, 2017). She argues that even though we are plugged into our jobs both at work and at home, that we still place a work-life balance as a “top priority” (2017, p.52). She gives some tips to employees on how to better maintain that balance by stating, “Research suggests that getting adequate sleep, taking vacation, and even stepping away from your desk at lunch will improve your productivity and help you maintain interest in your job” (2017, p.53). She also gives some practical tips for employers as they work together with their employees on ways to help achieve work-life balance. She closes the article by stating that, “Work-life balance not only makes you feel better, it makes you more productive at work” (2017, p.54).
Discussion: I was really drawn to this topic and article as I have often struggled with the work-life balance in my own life. As a UPS driver, I am required to work long hours most weeks and have found it difficult to maintain a healthy balance in my day to day life. As a husband of twenty years, and a father to three sons, I have found myself missing important moments with my family, and over time that has taken a toll on my relationships both at home and at work. I have had to step back and reflect many times throughout the years on what is most important in my life. However, I don’t believe that it is an all or nothing proposition. I believe that a balance can be found between work life and home life, but we must choose to be intentional about it. I agree with the article and have found myself more productive on the job when I maintain the work-life balance in my own life.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (ESV). The writer of Ecclesiastes goes on to talk about the different moments and seasons of our life, and how there is a time for each of these things. This is a good analogy of the work-life balance as there certainly is a time to work, but there is also a time to rest and recharge away from work as well. The writer also asks the question in Ecclesiastes 3:8, “What gain has the worker from his toil?” (ESV). We need to ask ourselves this very question as we seek to maintain a healthy work-life balance in our lives.