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.

Work-life balance and work-life integration: two different paradigms

Work-life balance: finding the right balance

Work-life balance is a concept whose roots date back to the early 20th century, when the second industrial revolution began to separate work from home life. And it’s precisely around this principle that the work-life balance is based: schedules designed for work on the one hand, and time for leisure, family and personal obligations on the other. In this way, employees stay focused at work and can then enjoy their free time to the full. A good balance! At least, that’s what was sought after (particularly in the 1970s and 1980s), although this model is not suited to all profiles.

Work-life integration: a synergy between all domains

In recent years, the boundary between professional and personal life has become porous, especially since the advent of telecommuting (but not only!). Employees have been able to start attending a conference from the comfort of their sofa, look after the kids while working, carry out certain tasks for their company late at night, or go to an appointment at any time of the day. In short, a model of work that allows the juggling of professional and personal obligations has emerged: the concept of work-life integration was born.

Several studies have also highlighted the fact that the return to the office following the COVID-19 pandemic increased burnout and stress among employees. This doesn’t necessarily prove that work-life integration is better than work-life balance, as each individual has his or her own preferences, but for many employees, this holistic approach can certainly lead to a fulfilling life (as Tracy Brower points out in her book The Secrets to Happiness at Work)!

The benefits of integrated work-life management

Reduced stress

The stress associated with managing everyday tasks (health, children’s appointments, etc.) is reduced thanks to the work-life integration model, because you no longer have to rack your brains to find solutions adapted to your professional constraints. For example, you can finish a project while waiting for your plane at the airport, and leave the office early for a doctor’s appointment. After all, you can finish your work at home in the evening! Thank you, flexibility!

Higher productivity

By managing your work the way you want, you feel freer, more autonomous and happier. The result? Greater productivity and efficiency. This is the result of a survey conducted by Gartner in 2021 (“Gartner 2021 Digital Worker Experience”): 43% of respondents believe that flexible working hours make them more productive.

Lower staff turnover

From the employer’s point of view, work-life integration is also beneficial, as satisfied employees are more committed, and more determined to stay with the same company over the long term. Another advantage: the employer brand is enhanced, which encourages talent retention.

From theory to practice: how best to reconcile your family life and your work?

Beyond the concepts of work-life balance and work-life integration, the most important thing is to find what suits you best: a mix of the two, staggered schedules, etc. Here are 7 tips to cultivate your daily well-being:

• Define your needs: do you prefer to concentrate on your work without thinking about anything else, or juggle several areas (managing daily tasks, sending e-mails, sports, etc.)?
• Talk to your manager about your preferences and what is possible in terms of flexibility;
• Be organized and disciplined if you want to juggle your professional and family obligations effectively;
• Set work-life integration limits so that you don’t feel obliged to answer your e-mails in the middle of the night;
• take advantage of the times when you are most productive to optimize your work;
• if your profession doesn’t allow you to be flexible, either in terms of hours or location (e.g. care assistant), try to take time for yourself as soon as possible and don’t feel guilty when you say “no” to those around you;
• use applications to lighten your mental load; they exist in every field (race planning, collaborative task management tools, etc.).

What about the role of employers in promoting the work-life integration of their employees?

If you’re an employer, stay here and read on! Yes, you have a big role to play in maintaining your employees’ well-being and helping them achieve their goal of balancing work and personal life. Here are a few tips to help you do just that.

Encouraging flexibility

Work-life integration is easier to achieve when employees can take advantage of flexible working hours and locations (this is particularly true of parents). Remember, they’ll be more productive if they feel fulfilled and happy! So you can think about flexible working models that might meet their needs, such as unlimited leave policies or four-day weeks.

N.B.: it may be a good idea to set up a survey among your employees to find out what they need.

Offering employee benefits

Employee benefits are an interesting way of building loyalty among your employees: transport allowances, vacation bonuses, pet insurance, and so on. the choice is yours!

Creating a safe, caring environment

It’s important to show your employees that their work environment is caring, inclusive and safe, especially on a psychological level. Indeed, if they see a problem within the company, they need to feel at ease to come and talk to you about it!

Use modern technologies

To enable your employees to work flexibly, your communication tools and collaborative technologies need to be perfected to ensure high performance in all conditions.

Create a wellness area

Games, sports equipment, a coffee machine, a wall for artistic expression, etc. A space dedicated to well-being can make your employees much happier, and put them back in touch with their personal lives. For example, if one of your employees practices sport in the evening, he or she can do the session during the lunch break, thus gaining time to enjoy his or her surroundings on the way home from work. Work-life integration is thus assured.

Leading by example

If you want your company to reflect the model of integrated work-life management, it makes sense to set an example for your employees. Take time out for yourself and do something meaningful every now and then. For example, bring your pet to work (if you can, of course!) to show that it’s possible to reconcile personal and professional needs.

It’s therefore possible to juggle your professional and personal lives skilfully; all you need to do is define your needs and get organized. It will take time to find the business model that suits you best, but with a job that offers you flexibility, you’ll be able to adjust your schedule when you need to! And don’t forget, life is made up of the unexpected, so it’s impossible to manage everything to perfection!

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