12-04-2012, 04:24 PM
WORK LIFE BALANCE-HR PERSPECTIVE
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Abstract:
Work-life balance can be defined as the perfect integration between work and life both not interfering with each other. In the current business world, people and organisations are working round the clock to meet the ever-growing demands. A slight delay in meeting the schedules or expectations is considered to be an organisational failure. To avoid delays and failures, employees are working hard and giving their heart and soul to achieve work-life balance which is creating an enormous pressure on them and hence they are forced to finish their jobs irrespective of time limit. The most-often used phrase among the employees is “I don’t have time” or “I have a hectic schedule.” A day of 24 hours is no longer enough to perform work-related and personal-related duties or responsibilities. The problem seems simple but difficult to solve and handle. Employees who have to play another role of daughter/son/spouse/parents are not able to manage their roles. Observing the day-to-day lives of many employees, two main issues to be addressed to achieve work-life balance are time and stress. Managing these two variables is the secret of a perfect work-life balance. The HR department of the organisation should assist the employee to maintain a work-life balance. The HR manager must carefully identify the issue and find a solution with the co-operation of the employer. Organisation must include providing work-life balance as an HR policy. This paper mainly focuses on the outcomes of imperfect work-life balance faced in the day-to-day life and the role of HR in achieving work-life balance.
WORK LIFE BALANCE: THE HR PERSPECTIVE
Introduction
The changing economic conditions and social demands have changed the nature of work throughout the world. Originally, work was a matter of necessity and survival. Throughout the years, the role of "work" has evolved and the composition of the workforce has changed. Today, work is widely viewed as a source of personal satisfaction. A good balance in work and life can play a phenomenal role in the attainment of personal and professional goals. The objective of this paper is to understand the various issues that have come to the forefront due to the dynamic nature of work.
Definition
Work life balance is about people having measure of control over when, where and how they work. There is a view that work-life balance only in the framework of what the company does for the individual.
However, work-life balance is a two-pronged approach. The other prong of work-life balance, which many individuals overlook, relates to what individuals do for themselves. The core of work life balance could also be summed as achievement with enjoyment. If an individual goes on working his or her best at work place but not really enjoying the same then happiness and satisfaction can never be achieved. Achievement can be viewed as motive of life while enjoyment is the fuel that drives that motive.
While we strike a work life balance, we are not merely balancing our profession and family, we are also balancing our mental and status quo and thereby balancing our emotional intelligence, which is the worldly ability to manage us and to handle others. Organizations can help facilitate work-life balance for their employees through work-life programs and training.
Need and Benefits of Work Life Balance
To understand the need of work life balance, one first needs to understand about work life imbalance, as with the understanding of the origin, causes and effects of this imbalance, the balancing act becomes easier. The corporate world of today is exceedingly demanding. The work culture varies from organization to organization.
Efforts made by Organizations & Individuals
Organizations today have realized the importance of the employee-work-life balance and its importance in the efficiency of the employees. Organizations work-life balance, so that neither the work nor the employee's personal life work-life balances, so that neither the work nor the employee's personal life is affected.
Many experts have given different solutions to this problem.
• TIME MANAGEMENT is one of the best solutions which can help to reduce the imbalance between the personal and the work life of the employees. Prioritizing the tasks and planning the activities can help to take out some free time which can be utilized for other purposes.
• Taking some time out for hobbies and leisure activities, spending time with loved ones can help to beat the stress.
• Learn to say "no" if required.
• Sharing the responsibilities will help and don't commit for something which is practically impossible.
• Utilizing the flexible working hour’s option of the organisations to get some free time.
The role of HR in achieving work-life balance
HR Managers therefore, need to take a strategic approach to the whole issue of work/life balance. They need to understand and quantify how work/life issues impact the bottom line measures of the business. They need to talk about work/life issues not as a ‘soft option’ but as an essential business tool that will deliver:
• A reduction in absenteeism
• An increased ability to attract and retain talented employees
• Increased ‘employee engagement’, motivation and use of discretionary effort
• Enhanced levels of customer service.
Conclusion
Thus, work-life balance can bring a huge transformation at the organizational and individual levels. It helps an organization to inherently build a strong value system, which is attributed to the work life balance enjoyed at the employee level. Consequently, the organization does not have to impose a formulated framework of organizational values because they now become intrinsic to it.