Work-life balance is the relationship between an individual’s work and personal life, and it can be affected by several factors which are, 

• Lack of clear boundaries
• Long working hours
• Technology
• Remote & Hybrid working
• Insufficient support from managers or employers
• Personal factors

The International Labour Organization’s report “Working Time and Work-Life Balance Around The World” provides a comprehensive overview of aspects related to working hours and their effects on business performance and the balance between personal and professional life for workers.

This mismatch affects employers, as it generally leads to reduced productivity, lower job performance, and increased turnover and absenteeism. The report provides an overview of working hour measures implemented by governments and companies during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this historical moment, working hours and modes have been used as a key tool to counteract the threats posed by the pandemic to society and the economy. In this sense, reduced working hours, flexible working arrangements, or working from home are elements that have contributed to maintaining organizations’ functionality and keeping workers employed.

On the one hand, remote or hybrid working can provide benefits such as by letting employees choose the option either working from home or in the office, can help them to increase employee satisfaction and productivity, but on the other hand, it can contribute to a mismatch in work-life balance by leading to overwork and burnout.  It can also be challenging for employees who may not have a separate workspace or a quiet environment, or for those who find it hard to disconnect from work. It can also lead to feelings of isolation, which can negatively impact their mental health and work-life balance.

Overall, a mismatch in work-life balance can occur due to a variety of factors, including organizational culture, individual choices, and external factors. 

We are aware of the fact that fixing this mismatch requires a combination of efforts from both employees and employers but we are trying our best to create a company where everyone can achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

Here are some best practices that work well in our environment:

• Giving our employees the choice to work where they feel most comfortable and productive. We believe that when our employees are able to work in a location that they find comfortable and conducive to productivity, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to get their work done. It also helps them to better balance their work and personal commitments, which can lead to less stress and burnout.

• Providing all the necessary tech and platform solutions, improving our internal processes constantly and creating a more comfortable and productive work environment for employees, regardless of where they choose to work. 

• Creating completely diverse teams for each project we have, because we believe that diverse teams can help to promote mutual understanding and respect among team members, which can not only lead to a more positive and inclusive work environment. but better work-life balance as employees feel more comfortable and respected in the workplace.

• Providing monthly soft skills training to employees and creating a culture that supports work-life balance as well as encourages the use of these skills. Our Digital Academy operates in synergy with all of our offices to have a positive impact on work-life balance for employees. Our trainings include, time management, stress management, communication, emotional intelligence, problem solving, flexibility and diversity and inclusion

• Setting up periodic calls with employees to promote a healthy work-life balance and support employees in achieving their goals. We currently have a schedule for regular check-ins twice a year, during which we discuss any challenges employees may be facing and the support they may need to better manage their workload and responsibilities. We also use these calls as an opportunity to set goals for work-life balance and to track progress towards those goals.

Fixing the mismatch for work-life balance is a challenging task, but it is possible to create a more balanced work environment by implementing some strategies to establish clear boundaries, communicate effectively, and promote a healthy work-life culture to create a balance that works for everyone, because, at the end,  everything is a matter of Balance.