Work Life BalanceWork Life Balance
WorkshopWorkshop
ByBy
A.V.ChandrakanthA.V.Chandrakanth
SUDHEER REDDYSUDHEER REDDY
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Achieving Work Life Balance Achieving Work Life Balance WorkshopWorkshop
Purpose: To focus on how to successfully combine work, family
relationships and leisure time into a satisfying life.
Approach: To create a skill set that enhances the ability to
evaluate priorities, focus on the big picture and use long range planning
Use prioritizing and organizational skills to make sense out of conflicting demands
WORK LIFE BALANCEWORK LIFE BALANCE
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The Work – Life BalanceThe Work – Life Balance
Work and personal world were once very distinct.
It is harder than ever to keep up with both your work and personal activities.
Activities and social spaces are becoming ambiguous.
WHAT IS WORK/LIFE WHAT IS WORK/LIFE BALANCE?BALANCE?
Equal balance between work and personal activities? Is it same for everyone?
Varies from individual to individual and varies over time on a daily basis as well over different phases of life
There is no perfect, one-size fits all solution
The best work-life balance is different for each of us because we all have different priorities and different lives
Work/life balance, in its broadest sense, is defined as a satisfactory level of involvement between the multiple roles in a person’s life.
Is your life in balance?Is your life in balance?
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Some things people deal with on a Some things people deal with on a daily basis daily basis
Getting ahead at work
Spending quality time with your significant other
Caring for elderly parents
Doing chores at home
Taking care of children
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Changes in the Work WorldChanges in the Work World Global economy
International business
Advanced communication technology
Flex-time schedules
Alternative or flexi-place work location
Changes in family structure (dual-career)
Striving for a perfect balance
Is it a 50-50 split?
Or is a 70-30 split?
Or is it a Or is it a seesawseesaw
Balance is elusive and difficult to maintain.
Compromises are constantly made, with the scales of balance shifting along with the occasional long workday or work assignment, family obligations, or any one of a number of life’s little surprises.
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Survey Results From More Than 50,000 Survey Results From More Than 50,000 Employees from a Variety of Employees from a Variety of
Manufacturing and Service Organizations Manufacturing and Service Organizations FoundFound
(Source: Quintessential Careers article)(Source: Quintessential Careers article)
2 out of every 5 employees are dissatisfied with the balance between their work and personal lives
The lack of balance is due to: Long work hours Changing demographics More time in the car Deterioration of boundaries
between work and home
Work – activities done regularly for money
Life – everything else
NEED OF WORK LIFE BALANCENEED OF WORK LIFE BALANCE
“No one can have everything and do everything at the same time”-Oprah Winfrey
The inability to balance work and family demands has been linked to :-
reduced work performance increased absenteeism lower commitment poor morale
Benefits of Work Life Balance Benefits of Work Life Balance Initiatives for EmployersInitiatives for Employers
Reduced absenteeism and lateness Improved employee morale and commitment Reduced stress and improved productivity A more flexible workforce Increased ability to attract and recruit staff Potential for improved occupational health and
safety Fulfillment of equal opportunity objectives Good corporate citizenship and an enhanced
corporate image
Benefits of Work Life Balance Benefits of Work Life Balance Initiatives for EmployeesInitiatives for Employees
Ability to manage work and individual commitments Improved personal and family relationships Flexible working arrangements resulting in reduced work
overload and stress Increased focus, motivation and job satisfaction knowing
that family and work commitments are being met Increased job security from the knowledge that an
organisation understands and supports workers with family responsibilities
Increased ability to remain employed. Increased ability to remain competitive in career
advancement Improved health and wellbeing of staff
Work-life balance" was coined to address the unhealthy life choices that many people were making; they were choosing to neglect other important areas of their lives such as family, friends, and hobbies in favor of work-related chores and goals
Work-Life balance - What is it all Work-Life balance - What is it all about?about?
But looking back, it is clear that the balance I chose had consequences for the people around me at home and at the office. For instance, my kids were raised , largely alone, by their mother, Carolyn.
My defense, if there is one, is that those were the times. Fathers were different then. In general, it was assumed that wives stayed at home to make everything run smoothly.
Jack Welch
Determining Your PrioritiesDetermining Your Priorities
What are the essential components to a quality life?
What are you truly passionate about in life?
What do you value most? Rank order these areas of your life
according to the amount of time and energy you spend on each.
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Values and PrioritizingValues and Prioritizing
Many of us are very knowledgeable about taking care of ourselves.
We know we should: Eat right Exercise daily Make time for relaxation Pursue spiritual wants and needs
WE KNOW IT SO WHY DON’T WE …..
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Learn how to say YES
as well as NO
It’s easier to say no to unwanted tasks if you’ve already committed to something you do want to do.
Work-Life BalanceWork-Life Balance
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Establish your ABSENCE
as well as your PRESENCE
Set a schedule for being physically elsewhere and unavailable, and stick to it.
Work-Life BalanceWork-Life Balance
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Do aLITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
as well asALL OF ONE THING
Master the art of multitasking.
Work-Life BalanceWork-Life Balance
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Determine your TASKS
as well as your PRIORITIES
Many activities, small and large, are the steps that lead to your goal.
Work-Life BalanceWork-Life Balance
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Work until your TIME IS UP
as well as until your TASK IS DONE
Approach every task with the goal of making progress during a specific amount of time, then move on to the next task to
maintain forward momentum.
Work-Life BalanceWork-Life Balance
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Bring some of your
HOME TO WORK
well as some of your
WORK TO HOME
You live in both worlds; look for ways to bring them together
Work-Life BalanceWork-Life Balance
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Seek to INTEGRATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL
AND PERSONAL ACTIVITIES as well as to
SEPARATE WORK AND PLAY
Doing so can maximize your effectiveness and satisfaction in both spheres.
Work-Life BalanceWork-Life Balance
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Global PerspectiveGlobal Perspective
1) New Zealand Employee’s perspective of work life
Flexible start and finish times, and more leave - both paid and unpaid.
More choice about the way they work, including having more input into rosters and shifts, and choosing the number of hours they work
Employers offering Using personal sick leave to care for others Flexible break provisions Study leave Governments initiative
Global Perspective –Contd.Global Perspective –Contd. Australia Work life policy This policy provides guidance and recommendations by
the Australian Computer Society (ACS) on work life issues for employers and employees
• Flexible working hours;• Work location options;• Employee friendly working arrangements,• Paid parental leave,• Job sharing and part time work,• Promoting healthy life style alternatives through membership of
gym and other recreational clubs.
Indian PictureIndian PictureIBM Free membership to children of all IBMers to the GenieKids Resource
center through out the year - The Resource Center houses a library, activity based games, pottery classes, computer classes etc.
IBM employees can also attend Parenting Workshops at the Resource Center, covering topics like "Developing Child's Intelligence", "Communicating towards better parenting", "Developing parent child relationships", at discounted rates through out the year
Accenture Incorporated family events into its employee calendars, with social
gatherings or outings where the whole family comes together. Mandatory number of holidays, discounted gym and saloon memberships and even in-house work-life effectiveness managers and career counselors are all attempts by Accenture to counter stress and maintain the work life balance.
Infosys unveils new HR practicesInfosys unveils new HR practices
Paternity leaves Exams for employees who are
interested in other profiles, Job Rotation Lady employee will be allowed to work
from home (for particularly new mothers) initiated a pilot project for employees
giving them an opportunity to opt for a one-year sabbatical at any point in their careers
Employee Welfare at WiproEmployee Welfare at Wipro
Education Medical Housing Canteen and other Recreational facilities Club membership Insurance Policy Mitr Freedom Of association
Evaluating a Stressful Evaluating a Stressful Lifestyle Using Life GoalsLifestyle Using Life Goals Work: Performance objectives, challenge, opportunity
to learn, sense of accomplishment, financial rewards, relationships with coworkers, subordinates, supervisors
Family: Quantity and quality of time spent with spouse, significant other, children, parents, siblings, extended family
Personal: Leisure activities, social life, physical health, spiritual development
We constantly juggle these goals, shifting time and energy between goals and trying not to “drop the ball” for any goal.
This juggling act reflects the amount of stress in our lives.
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% of children with a stay-at-home mother
But things are different nowBut things are different now% of women working
outside the home
Some FindingsSome Findings
We find that women are more worried than men about their work when they come home. We can notice that substantially 78% women carry office tension home compared to just 60 % men.
Married women comparatively carry more office tension back home than single women.
Approximately 90 % of the married women carry tensions back home that 60% of single women.
62% of the males and 50% of the females did not help out their wards with their education.
This could be attributed to the late working hours experienced by the respondents.
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Does your family feel stressed too?Does your family feel stressed too?
What a Day!
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Some Quick Facts About Some Quick Facts About Stress and the WorkplaceStress and the Workplace Americans are working longer and harder. 46% of working adults view their jobs as very stressful
or extremely stressful. 81% percent of respondents suffer from the ill effects
of stress at least once a week. In a survey of medical and personnel directors of
Fortune 1,000 companies, 70% said mental health problems were fairly or very pervasive.
Stress costs employers about $150 billion annually in workers’ compensation claims, absenteeism, turnover, and health and disability claims, reducing profits by about 10%.04/10/23 40Ratan Global Business School
Stressors and Work–Family ConflictStressors and Work–Family Conflict
Stressors
Dissatisfaction
Frustration
Depression
Work–Family Conflicts
Work and Family Stress on Employee
Work Versus Family
Creates Leads toTriggers Possible
Outcomes
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What is stress?What is stress?
Stress - the “nonspecific
response of the body to
any demands made upon
it.”
Stressor – any physical,
psychological, or social
Condition that initiates
the stress response,
and can be either positive
or negative.04/10/23 42Ratan Global Business School
Types of StressTypes of Stress
EUSTRESS - “good stress” Initiates emotional & psychological growth. Generates & initiates action. Leads to increase performance and improved
health. Provides the experience of pleasure, can
accompany a: Graduation Purchase of a home Development of a new relationship
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Types of StressTypes of Stress
DISTRESS - “bad stress” Results in negative responses. Can interfere with physiological &
psychological functioning. Long term distress may result in disease or
disability.
Homeostasis - the body’s attempt to
maintain a physiological balance.
Stress disrupts the balance.04/10/23 44Ratan Global Business School
Chronic StressChronic Stress
Long-term stress that occurs when a person is continually in a stress-response condition.
Can lead to illness or even death.
Increases risk for disease, hypertension, eating disorders, ulcers, diabetes, and cancer.04/10/23 45Ratan Global Business School
Physical EffectsPhysical Effects
Increased susceptibility to illness Chronic high blood pressure Ulcers Headaches and migraines, backaches, and
body pains Diarrhea, heartburn, gastritis, inflammation of
the pancreas Exacerbation of acne, psoriasis, herpes, hives,
and eczema
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Emotional EffectsEmotional Effects
Loneliness, depression, feelings of hopelessness
Irritability Anger, hostility, violence Disorganization Conflicts Mood swings Sleep problems
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Behavioral EffectsBehavioral Effects
Alcohol abuse Drug abuse Excessive smoking Disordered eating Compulsive behaviors Ineffective use of work/leisure time Overreaction to mild work pressure
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What causes you stress?What causes you stress?
Jobs and The Workplace Balancing family and work Financial Problems Personal Relationships Children Daily Hassles / Being Too Busy
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Most and Least Stressful JobsMost and Least Stressful Jobs
Most Stressful:Most Stressful: President of the
United States Firefighter Senior corporate
executive Race car driver Taxi driver
Least Stressful:Least Stressful: Medical records
technician Janitor Forklift operator Musical instrument
repairer Florist
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Stress ManagementStress Management
Lifestyle Techniques
Time Management
Cognitive Restructuring
Relaxation Techniques
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1. Lifestyle Techniques for1. Lifestyle Techniques for Managing Stress Managing Stress
Social Support Communication
Skills Healthy Diet Adequate Sleep Regular Exercise
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2. Time Management 2. Time Management
The Problem is Severe By some estimates, people waste about 2 hours per
day. Signs of time wasting:
Messy desk and cluttered (or no) files Can't find things Miss appointments, need to reschedule them late
and/or unprepared for meetings Volunteer to do things other people should do Tired/unable to concentrate
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32%
23%11%
6%
9%
9%
1%
3%6%
Sleep
WorkTV
Leisure
Eating
Travel
IllnessDressing
Religion
How we spend our dayHow we spend our day
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Know YourselfKnow Yourself
Morning Person Long Concentration Procrastinator Work well under a
deadline Extrovert
Night Owl Short
Concentration Do things NOW Don’t work well
under a deadline Introvert
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Manage YourselfManage Yourself
Schedule hard work during your “up” time
Break up projects into manageable segments
“To do” lists with deadlines Do high priority work when you work
best Know how to recharge your energy!
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Be “Time Wise”Be “Time Wise” Do it now Say no Start projects as soon as they are assigned Divide each task into small, manageable
chunks Use small pockets of time well Use your best time well Don’t put things off Turn off the TV Try the 10-minute ticker
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3. Cognitive Restructuring3. Cognitive Restructuring
How Can you Change the Way youHow Can you Change the Way you
Think About Stress?Think About Stress? Don’t worry about things you can’t control Regain control: problem solve & ID solutions Reasonable expectations Sense of humor Flexibility with self & others
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Relaxation TechniquesRelaxation Techniques
Visualization or Imagery Mediation Deep Breathing
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Final Thought on the Work/Life Final Thought on the Work/Life Balance….Balance….
In the end, the key word is balance. Find the right balance that works for youyou Celebrate your successes and don’t dwell on your
failures. Life is a process .. and so is striving for balance in
your life.
CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
• Employers who allow flexibility and provide work life benefits will attract and retain the best employees.
• Employees whose personal lives are under control are more effective in the workplace.
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