Blog 03 - Work Life Balance

 WORK LIFE BALANCE

People and Organizations (MBA London Metropolitan University) by Shehani Perera

Job satisfaction mostly appears at the level to which employees have optimistic or unenthusiastic manner towards their employment (Ahmad M. B., Wasay E., & Jhandir S. U., 2012).

For an employee in an any organization, work – life balance (WLB) is very crucial as it is directly affecting the employee’s well being and the future of the organization. It is linked with employee’s performance and behavior. It forms better productivity at work and strengthens relationships. Work life balance is a combination of family satisfaction, job satisfaction and psychological health. Marital status, working hours, necessity of flexibility, added working hours and over time, distort the work life balance (Fleetwood S., 2007). Establishing a balanced home and work environment is the most critical step toward achieving WLB. Numerous facets of an individual’s life are out of balance, resulting in a variety of negative consequences, including conflict between work and family, health concerns, poor job performance, and mental illnesses such as depression and stress disorders. Depending on the gender, work life balance could be described at different levels.

Basically, the main purpose of work life balance is to have a growth in both in professional and personal growth or satisfaction (Yadav R.K., & Dabhade N., 2014). Making time for family, friends or even self-care is called personal growth. For a woman personal growth or satisfaction could be in different characteristics as a wife, a mother, a daughter and a sister too.  Women will have to pay more attention to her family, kids and spend more time than a man usually required. Therefore, there will be a real challenge for her in work life balance.

In aviation industry employee turn over is a critical problem and it has made many other issues too. The remaining workers will have to work overtime and it may lead to health issues as well. In aviation industry, many people have to work inflexible hours (including night shifts) as they work limited place and time also need a crucial teamwork performance in their efficiency. This is a real challenge to women as night shifters since it might arouse cultural issues specially in an Asian country like Sri Lanka. Moreover, if there are any women with newborns, the situation would be more critical. With short of staff and adding more time at work and less time at home, work life balance could be not reachable.

Altogether workers are frequently overworked, which has a harmful effect on their mental health and possibly result in mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, which are all becoming more prevalent as a result of increased stress levels.

Herlin, P. K. (2010) stated that work-family facilities, such as childcare assistance, flexible work hours, and other benefits provided by the employer, improve the family and job satisfaction. A greater level of family satisfaction is associated with increased organizational commitment, low intention to leave, and increased productivity.

Work and family life are two distinct domains that should not interact. Family identities and commitments can affect the workplace, and work perspectives and responsibilities can cause disruptions in family life. Additionally, informal adjustments and managerial discretion are critical for emphasizing the value of work-life balance.

CONCLUSION

Hasan, N. A. B. B., & Teng, L. S. (2017) stated that achieving a good WLB is more difficult, particularly in today’s modern and fast-paced business world. Maintaining a work-life balance is critical specially for women in aviation because it empowers them to perform their extra ordinary jobs more efficiently, as well as sustain positive relationships with their family and care for their personal health and well-being.

REFERENCES

Herlin, P. K. (2010). The Influence of Work-Life Balance Benefits on Family-Supportive Organizational Perception and Work Attitudes (Doctoral dissertation, University of Waikato).

Hutton, L. (2015). Three reasons why work life balance is important. Australian Institute of Business.

Hasan, N. A. B. B., & Teng, L. S. (2017). Work-life balance and job satisfaction among working adults in Malaysia: The role of gender and race as moderators. Journal of Economics, Business and Management, 5(1), 18-24

Gurney, S. (2010). Gender, work-life balance and health amongst women and men in administrative, manual and technical jobs in a single organization: a qualitative study (Doctoral dissertation, University of Glasgow).


Comments

  1. Divvigaa KajendranAugust 12, 2023 at 10:25 AM

    The way you've highlighted the factors that can disrupt the work-life balance, such as working hours, flexibility, and overtime, demonstrates a deep understanding of the challenges employees face.

    Bishop (2018) states that various factors impact work-life balance, such as marital status, working hours, flexibility needs, and overtime requirements. These factors can either support or disrupt the balance between work and personal life.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nalin Thushara FernandoAugust 12, 2023 at 7:45 PM

    This article succinctly captures the challenges of attaining a healthy work-life balance, especially in our contemporary, fast-moving business environment. The recognition of the significance of work-life balance is particularly pertinent in fields like aviation, where it is essential for women to strike this equilibrium.

    According to Harvey,(2009) a good work-life balance is of utmost importance for women in aviation. By achieving this balance, they are not only better equipped to excel in their demanding roles but also to maintain positive connections with their families and prioritize their own physical and emotional well-being.

    In essence, the article underscores the multifaceted benefits of work-life balance, showcasing its role in enhancing both professional performance and personal fulfillment, which is especially relevant for women in the aviation sector.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hisshanthi WanasingheAugust 12, 2023 at 9:41 PM

    Hello Shehani,
    Your chosen topic is truly captivating. Your thoughtful exploration of factors such as working hours, flexibility, and overtime that can undermine work-life balance showcases a perceptive understanding of the hurdles employees encounter.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ralph FernandoAugust 13, 2023 at 9:38 AM

    In the aviation industry, achieving work-life balance is particularly challenging due to irregular schedules and demanding responsibilities. Pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff often face long hours and time zone changes, impacting personal lives. Airlines must prioritize roster predictability and rest periods, while employees should embrace self-care routines. Striking this balance enhances safety, job satisfaction, and overall well-being, crucial for sustaining a high-performance aviation workforce.
    Nice article and a good read.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gayani RajapakshaAugust 13, 2023 at 10:31 AM

    Agreed, Work-life balance refers to the equilibrium between a person's professional and personal life, impacting well-being and organizational success. It involves managing family satisfaction, job satisfaction, and mental health, while avoiding negative consequences such as work-family conflict, health issues, and poor job performance (Guthrie, V. M. J. - 2012). Achieving work-life balance is crucial, particularly in fast-paced industries like aviation, as it enhances overall job performance, maintains positive relationships, and promotes personal health and well-being.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nuwan AlahakoonAugust 14, 2023 at 11:43 PM

    Agree with your post. Women working in Sri Lanka's aviation sector encounter unique challenges when it comes to balancing work and personal responsibilities, largely due to cultural norms and societal expectations. Conventional views on gender roles and the role of women can limit opportunities and support for those seeking careers in aviation. Societal norms that emphasise women's domestic and caregiving roles can make it particularly demanding to manage job commitments alongside household duties. Additionally, the demanding schedules and irregular hours characteristic of the aviation industry can make it difficult for women to effectively meet both their professional and traditional responsibilities. Overcoming these challenges requires promoting cultural change, advancing gender equality, and providing targeted support systems that take into account and respect these cultural constraints.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Maneesha PereraAugust 30, 2023 at 3:36 PM

    HI Shehani, Employees and employers are encountering difficulties when it comes to achieving a work-life balance. This has become a challenging area, as work demands have intensified due to increased pressure and complexities associated with handling technology.
    There have been significant alterations to the rules and regulations of the work environment.
    The aviation industry presents challenges to achieving work-life balance for its employees.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jenifer ShanAugust 30, 2023 at 10:45 PM

    The aviation industry has a 20% yearly employee turnover in ground operations and an 18% annual employee turnover in customer service and cabin crew (Garcia, 2018).accordingly, How does the critical issue of employee turnover in the aviation industry impact both the remaining workforce and the industry as a whole?

    ReplyDelete

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