Recently the province of Quebec launched a work-life balance program that encourages local companies to provide their employees with a healthy work life. Some of the program include telework, flexible work schedules, time off for family needs and on-site child care. It’s great that some emphasis is being put on a healthy lifestyle, but I think the term work-life balance is fundamentally flawed.
As Mitch Joel argues work-life balance is a myth:
“There is no such thing as work/life balance. By even saying there is such balance, you’re making an internal agreement that work is not a part of a healthy life, and I just don’t buy it. Like you, I put a good chunk of my waking hours against the work I do. I can’t accept that it doesn’t constitute an important and real part of my life. In the end, I’m not looking for work/life balance… I’m looking for life balance.”
I completely agree. If you feel you don’t have a proper balance between work and the rest of your life, it’s probably that you’re not doing the right work. Let’s face it, we work at the very least 40 hours per week (but probably way more) so if you don’t treat work as part of your life, not only are you going to be unhappy, but you probably aren’t doing your best work — you’re not only doing yourself a disfavour, but your employer as well.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that your life should be all work and no play and that family and friends are not important, quite the opposite in fact — they’re the MOST important. But the reality remains that most of us spend the majority of our time working so it’s important to accept it as part of your life. Some people like working long hours, some don’t. Some people like being in the office at 7 am and others not. Some people like to work from home and some like the office life. So it’s important to take a step back and look at what you feel the “life” part of the equation is. Work-life balance does not mean working less hours and watching more TV. If that’s your idea of a healthier balance, it’s time for a shake-up. You don’t need a work-life balance you need a change…change your job and find new activities. You deserve more than that…
What I do like about the program is the emphasis of telework, flexible work schedules and time off for family needs. I think it’s time for companies to understand we have the technology to be as productive away from the office than at the office. It’s important to let your employees manage their time. I think more and more companies have started to accept this reality.
For the record, I’m also not convinced that never being in the office is a good thing. Stuff like group work, brainstorms, group meetings and face time are important and vital. Two heads ARE better than one after all. But some will like often being in the office and others will prefer to work more often from home… What’s important is the output.
What’s your take? Does your company let its employees really manage their schedule?
(Photo credit: eflon)
