Organizational Culture and Work-Life Balance

Abstract

This abstract examines the intricate connection between organizational culture and work-life balance, recognizing the critical role that workplace environments have in influencing people's ability to combine professional and personal duties. The essay shows how organizational ideals, norms, and practices affect people's perceptions and experiences of work-life balance.

Research has shown that 70% of people report having an unhealthy work-life balance, however, 70% of people also rate family as a top priority (Rife & Hall, 2015).

 What causes poor work-life balance? 

•       Overutilization of employees when he/she is assigned more work than their capacity allows.

•       An “always-on" culture, where employees feel pressured to be constantly available, even outside regular working hours.

•       Understaffing.

•       Lack of flexible work policies makes it difficult for employees to balance professional and personal commitments.

•       Lack of autonomy and control at work.

•       Limited opportunities for development and career growth.

•       Financial worries and job insecurity.

•       A Company culture that encourages overworking.

•       A lack of clear boundaries between work and personal life.

Consequences?

•       Increased stress and mental health difficulties

•       Increased sick leave due to medical conditions.

•       Reduced productivity

•       Poor morale and staff engagement

•       High turnover

How to Create a Work-Life Balance That Promotes a Positive Company Culture

•       Provide employees with the necessary resources and tools.

•       Encourage staff to take short breaks throughout the day.

•        Foster a corporate culture that encourages people to take vacation time. 

•       Provide remote operation choices. By providing this option, employees can simply handle childcare, choose a schedule that matches their lifestyle, and construct a work plan that allows them to spend meaningful time with their families.

•       Bringing in speakers and sponsoring programs to help employees with mental health, physical health, and life management skills empowers employees on their path to achieving a healthy work-life balance.

A Case Study

In a 2008 study, Steingerdur Ólafsdottir researched an Icelandic software consulting company that had been identified by employees as being very supportive of balancing work, community, family, and self-development needs. Ólafsdottir found the following traits, among others, in the culture of the organization:

Fun	Ambition	Flexibility	Openness
Informality	Flat organizational structure	Trust	Cooperation
Responsibility	Support	Pride

Within this organization, Ólafsdottir identified several things that managers and leaders did to create this culture:

·      They were understanding of employees' needs and concerns.

·      They made themselves available to employees

·      They were supportive of employees when they encountered challenges

·      They demonstrated trust in their employees.

·      They gave their employees feedback on their work

 Conclusion

In conclusion, in today's fast-paced and cutthroat corporate environment, the significance of work-life balance and organizational culture cannot be emphasized. These components are essential for determining employee well-being, propelling organizational performance, and creating a great, long-lasting work environment.

 

References:

Rife, A., & Hall, R. (2015). Work-life balance [White paper]. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology:

Weissang, E. (2023, July 20). What causes poor work life balance? Runn. https://www.runn.io/blog/what-causes-poor-work-life-balance

How Organisational culture affects Work-Life Balance. (n.d.). Challenge Consulting. https://www.challengeconsulting.com.au/announcements/organisational-culture-affects-work-life-balance/

Making work life balance part of the workplace culture. (n.d.). Links International. https://linksinternational.com/en-sg/research-page/making-work-life-balance-part-of-the-workplace-culture/

(20) How to create a corporate culture that supports work life balance | LinkedIn. (2022, April 2). https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-create-corporate-culture-supports-work-life-balance-robin-kramer/