Safety Update

Safety Update: A New Meaning to Work-Life Balance

One of the most desired new year resolutions at the end of each hectic and tiring year is the fundamental requirement and restoration of work-life balance. Most people want to feel that they are utilizing their time efficiently and effectively in both their personal and professional lives in order to get the most out of life and feel stress-free at the same time. Despite the quest to achieve work-life balance, few understand the true definition of balancing home and work.

Contrary to popular belief, work-life balance does not equate to equivalent balance between work time and home time, but instead attempts to divide an equal number of hours between various work and personal activities. This may sometimes be unrealistic or unattainable in the long term, considering the fact that daily balance varies depending on individual needs, values and priorities.

According to an article by Ray B. Williams in the Financial Post last April, the terms and conditions of work life balance have changed in recent years. Originally, work was a matter of necessity or survival which has now evolved into a source of individual and personal satisfaction for people. Current day work life balance has a two prong approach.

One prong is what the employer does for the employee in the form of flexible work arrangements and benefits and the other prong is what the employee does for himself/herself. Achieving work-life balance really means having equilibrium among all the priorities in your life - this state of balance is different for every person. So what can be a guide for both employee and employers about the issue of work-life balance? Here are some ideas to consider:

• Work life balance does not mean equal balance between work and home; balance can vary from day to day,
• Individual work-life balance will vary over the long term depending on changes in the seasons of life (i.e. being single vs being married),
• There is no perfect one-size-fits-all balance for each person; each person must decide what works for him/her; and
• Four quadrants of work life balance must be considered when setting priorities and time frames: work, family, friends and self.

For more information on work life balance and how you can achieve it go to www.cmha.ca and take a work-life balance quiz.

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