On 23 March 2023, on the occasion of Work-Life Balance Day, the results of the Infojobs survey on the work-life balance were published. The data came as a surprise to many: only 35% of workers claim to be able to reconcile work and family life. These results reveal a setback compared to previous years and invite us to reflect deeply on the current situation.
Why is work-life balance getting worse?
Midlife collision” is a complex and stressful period often experienced by women of what has become known as the Sandwich Generation.
The “sandwich generation” refers to adults, often in their forties or fifties, who find themselves simultaneously caring for children who are still at home or financially dependent, and elderly parents in need of care or support.
This generation is thus “sandwiched” between their obligations to their children and their parents, hence the term “sandwich”.
The boundary between professional and personal life has evolved over the years, giving rise to new trends. This is due to the rise of the hybrid work mode, which has more or less merged the two spheres. Yes, working on the sofa while the washing machine is running has become a habit for some. That’s why today we’re talking about work-life integration rather than work-life balance. Here’s how we decipher this phenomenon.
In fact self-care is a vital component of all caring attitudes and activities. In order to attend to the needs of others we need to make sure that we are “fit” enough. The illustration most often used to make this point is the aeroplane safety instruction: to make sure you put on your own oxygen mask before helping anyone else
Work-life “balance” sets up an unhelpful dichotomy that isn’t particularly helpful or realistic. Here’s why individuals and organizations should prioritize work-life integration instead.
On the one hand, since 2020, salaried employees have had wide access to telecommuting, and are enjoying the autonomy they’ve regained by deciding on their personal organization a few days a week.
On the other, freelancers, tired of the loneliness of independence, are seeking to group together in co-working facilities or in each other’s homes.
Commentaires récents