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SAJMMR Volume 2, Issue 3 (March, 2012) ISSN 2249-877X
South Asian Academic Research Journals http://www.saarj.com
- 64 -
Published by: South As ian Academic Research Journals
SAJMMR:
S o u t h A s i a n J o u r n a l o f
M a r k e t i n g & M a n a g e m e n t
R e s e a r c h
A STUDY ON ART OF BALANCING WORK AND LIFE –
AN INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVE
BALAKAMAKSHI T Y*
*Assistant Professor,
Department of Commerce (SFS),
S.D.N.B. Vaishnav College for Women,
Chromepet, Chennai 44, India.
INTRODUCTION
A concept involving balancing work which includes career goals and vision on one hand and life
including health and family on the other.
STRESS AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Balancing work and life is an art which can be mastered only by practice. In zeal to strike the
balance many end up stressing themselves. The short run resultant of stress is physical and
psychological issues of lesser intensity. It leads to the same of larger intensity in a long run.
Today Darwin’s theory of “Survival of the fittest” is applicable in every walk of life. We have no
choice but to keep ourselves updated. The fear of being left out is always there in the back of our
mind. The fear in a pessimistic mood triggers stress and leads to depression.
HYPERTENSION THREAT FOR WORKFORCE
Due to globalization and a stressful working environment, hypertension threatens to wallop the
workforce in India, according to a study made jointly by ASSOCHAM and PWC. 65 million
were affected by hypertension in 2008 and by the year 2015, the number is likely to double. The
consumption of tobacco in India is more, the country accounted for the highest number of oral
cancer patients.
According to James Campbell Quick, a professor of organizational behavior at the University of
Texas-Arlington, "The average tenure of presidents at land-grant universities in the past ten years
has dropped from approximately seven to three-and-a-half years Perceptions of work-life balance
and gender differences
SAJMMR Volume 2, Issue 3 (March, 2012) ISSN 2249-877X
South Asian Academic Research Journals http://www.saarj.com
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Research conducted by the Kenexa Research Institute (KRI), a division of Kenexa,
evaluated how male and female workers perceive work-life balance and found that women are
more positive than men in how they perceive their company’s efforts to help them balance work
and life responsibilities. The report is based on the analysis of data drawn from a representative
sample of 10,000 U.S. workers who were surveyed through Work Trends, KRI’s annual survey
of worker opinions. The results indicated a shift in women’s perceptions about work-life balance.
In the past, women often found it more difficult to maintain balance due to the competing
pressures at work and demands at home. (www.kenexa.com/getattachment)
WORK AND LIFE WILL BE PLEASURE ONLY WHEN IT DOESN’T BECOME YOUR
BURDEN!
Work-life balance is a subject of priority for both men and women alike. Any person
whether male or female is surrounded with abundant amount of duties and responsibilities in
there work and life. Each one of us has varied capabilities to perform. It is preferable to allocate
or take up duties and responsibilities as per once capabilities and expertise. This will ensure the
person is not burdened leading to better work and life balance.
Working Women make tough choices every day,
Bread and Cheese or Idly and Sambar.
A new Sari or an electric bill.
A sick child or a demanding boss.
A parent-teacher meeting or important conference at the office.
Whether your top concern is equal pay or flexible hours, childcare or elder care, training for a
new job or respect for the one, one thing is certain-working women face a challenge.
RECOMMENTATIONS
List your duties and responsibilities.
Imbibe team spirit.
Share and Care for each other.
Prioritize what you know best and thereafter.
Practice to make work as if repetitive and partially done through subconscious
mind.
Practice healthy multi-tasking pertaining to your potential.
Meditate to improve concentration.
SAJMMR Volume 2, Issue 3 (March, 2012) ISSN 2249-877X
South Asian Academic Research Journals http://www.saarj.com
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Refresh yourself at regular intervals to overcome stress.
Last but not the least, be positive.
WHY DOES WORK LIFE BALANCE MATTER TO EMPLOYER’S?
Work life balance has an impact on the productivity of the organization.
It creates better hierarchy and good team spirit.
Helps create a professionally managed company and a smooth sail to the next
generation.
Relationship Building. (Within and outside the organization)
PART II RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
A survey was conducted by circulating questionnaires among the staff members of a
leading women’s college regarding their mothering responsibilities. Due to time constraints, we
were able to collect only 100 samples. The following analysis were obtained,
With regard to staff perceptions of work life balance, 78.3% of those who took part in the
survey indicated that they strongly agree and 19.3% that they agree to the statement that is
important to them to achieve a balance between paid work and personal work. This shows the
importance of staff work life balance and how it helps them to work more efficiently.
TABLE 1: AGE OF THE RESPONDENTS
Strongly agree
Balance their work and life
Nuetral
SAJMMR Volume 2, Issue 3 (March, 2012) ISSN 2249-877X
South Asian Academic Research Journals http://www.saarj.com
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Age of children %
Below 2 years 5
2-5 years 30
6-10 years 35
11-14 years 15
15-18 years 10
Over 18 years 5
Majority of the respondents fall under the age group 26 Years- 55 years. Almost 75% are
married and they are to be living with their partners and 60% of them with their dependent
children.
25-30 Years 30
31-40 Years 40
40-55 Years 20
56-60 Years 10
Married 58.1%
Living with partner 15.4%
Separated 2.4%
Divorced 6.5%
Widower 0.7
Single 16.6%
SAJMMR Volume 2, Issue 3 (March, 2012) ISSN 2249-877X
South Asian Academic Research Journals http://www.saarj.com
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GRAPH SHOWING AGE OF THE RESPONDENTS
Graph showing the Dependant Child of the Respondents
TABLE 2 SHARING OF CHILD CARE RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary Care Responsibilities %
Child Care 24.2
Elder Care 5.1
Caring for sick child 2.4
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
25-30 Years 31-40 Years 40-55 Years 56-60 Years
5%
30%
35%
15%
10%5%
Below 2 years 2-5 years 6-10 years 11-14 years 15-18 years Over 18 years
SAJMMR Volume 2, Issue 3 (March, 2012) ISSN 2249-877X
South Asian Academic Research Journals http://www.saarj.com
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Caring for disabled adult 2.2
Caring for disabled child 0.4
Caring for sick adult 1.2
Most of the respondents are sharing 24.2% of child care and almost 11 % for sick and disabled
child and adult.
TABLE 3 COMMON INTEREST
Interest outside work %
Sport 27%
Training 20 %
Social Activities 40%
Listening to music 13%
Refreshing yourself between work and life engagements helps reduce stress.
Suggestion: HUMOUR AS A STRESS REMEDY
Humour is a wonderful stress-reducer. Doctors say a good laugh reduces tense muscles, speeds
more oxygen into our system and reduces blood pressure. Various ways in which a person can
reduce stress by way of humour are;
1. Watch your favourite programme or comedy shows on television.
2. Share funny episodes with your mates or with your spouse that can relieve stress and can
improve communication skills.
Based on article “Humour Therapy” published on www.holisticoline.com.
NEED OF BALANCE
Use of policies organized by
organization
%
Yes 52%
No 48%
Able to balance work and family
life
%
Yes 64%
No 36%
SAJMMR Volume 2, Issue 3 (March, 2012) ISSN 2249-877X
South Asian Academic Research Journals http://www.saarj.com
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Majority has been able to balance work and life. Similarly, they use the policies provided by the
organization.
WORKING HOURS
7. Do any of the following help you balance your work and family commitments?
Yes No Not available
to me
Not applicable to
me
Flexible starting times 53 37 3 7
Flexible finish times 52 35 10 3
Flexible hours generally 80 10 Nil 10
Time off for family
emergencies & events
90 7 Nil 3
Identifying the right tool and techniques to simplify helps balance your work and life.
SUPPORT FROM OTHERS
8. Do any of the following help you balance your work and family commitments?
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Yes No Not available to me
Not applicable to me
Chart Title
Time off for family emergencies & events
Flexible hours generally
Flexible finish times
Flexible starting times
SAJMMR Volume 2, Issue 3 (March, 2012) ISSN 2249-877X
South Asian Academic Research Journals http://www.saarj.com
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Nature of support
Yes
No
Not available
to me
Not applicable
to me
Support from principal/Head of
Incharge
90 Nil 3 7
Support from colleagues 64 22 8 6
In a professional environment, an effective team is formed with proper delegation of authority
and delivering once duties and responsibilities
9. Does any of the following hinder you balance your work and family commitments?
Yes (%) No (%) Not applicable to me (%)
Negative attitude of Head of
the department
64 26 10
Negative attitude of
colleagues
76% 24% nil
There is a saying “Boss is always Right”. This of course doesn’t exist in a healthy team.
Negative attitude of the superiors is either out of insecurity, or dictatorship.
Negative attitude of Head of the department
Yes (%)
No (%)
Not applicable to me (%)
SAJMMR Volume 2, Issue 3 (March, 2012) ISSN 2249-877X
South Asian Academic Research Journals http://www.saarj.com
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CONCLUSION
Work and life balance is the essence for a healthy living. It can be attained only by
practice. Identification of easy methods and tools to perform duties and responsibilities in an
effective manner is the only solution to strike it.
Organisations should undertake work-life balancing programmes like,
Childcare at or near
the workplace
Flexible work
scheduling
Job sharing
SAJMMR Volume 2, Issue 3 (March, 2012) ISSN 2249-877X
South Asian Academic Research Journals http://www.saarj.com
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REFERENCE
1. Questionnaire taken from
www.eeotrust.org.nz/content/docs/.../Fathers%20Sample%20questionnaire.doc –
2. An Audit Report of Work Life balance from
www.brookes.ac.uk/services/hr/eod/wlb/wlb_report.pdf -
3. Quotes : Human resource Management by L.M.Prasad
4. Stress Management and work Life balance: stressinstitute.com/work_life_balance.asp
5. Gender, Work and organization - www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0968-6673
6. Human Resource Management, Text and cases K Aswathappa Sixth Edition.