What Is The Difference Between Work/life Balance And Work Life Integration?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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“Work-life balance is focused on keeping your work life and your personal life separate, but equal, whereas work-life integration is centered on the belief that there is no distinction between the two and that both must coexist in harmony .”

What is the meaning of work-life integration?

We use the term Work/Life Integration instead of Work/Life Balance because the latter evokes a binary opposition between work and life . ... Work/Life Integration instead is an approach that creates more synergies between all areas that define “life”: work, home/family, community, personal well-being, and health.

What is your definition of work-life balance?

Work-life Balance definition. Work-life balance refers to the level of prioritisation between personal and professional activities in an individual’s life and the level to which activities related to their job are present in the home .

How does integrate work with life?

  1. Be self-aware. ...
  2. Make flexibility at work a priority. ...
  3. Take time off. ...
  4. Take short breaks throughout the day. ...
  5. Unplug. ...
  6. Notice the hours that you are most productive. ...
  7. Productivity is a priority, not the hours you put in.

What is the importance of work-life integration?

Work-life integration is an extension of the traditional work-life balance approach. Instead of there being conflict between the two areas, work-life integration seeks to unify them in a way that supports both . For the individual, it means managing a schedule that meets your own needs and that of your organization.

What is the importance of work-life balance?

The benefits

With a satisfactory work-life balance, employers can reap a range of benefits. Productivity is higher , absenteeism is lower, and physical and mental health improves with a higher commitment and motivation to work. Personal relationships can also benefit from achieving this balance.

What is the impact of work-life balance?

An ACAS report on flexible working and work-life balance showed how a poor balance can lead to absence, low productivity and stress . But when balance is achieved, benefits can include: Better levels of efficiency and productivity. Lower levels of absence, sickness and stress.

Who is responsible for work-life balance?

Most conversations relating to work life balance happen at the individual level. However, an employer has just as much responsibility to encourage a healthy balance as the employee. Not only does this show that the employer truly respects and cares for employees, but it will also increase productivity in the long run.

What is a healthy work/life balance?

Not only is achieving a healthy work/life balance an attainable goal but workers and businesses alike see the rewards. ... When workers are balanced and happy, they are more productive, take fewer sick days, and are more likely to stay in their jobs.

Is Work Life Integration The new work-life balance?

“Work-life balance is focused on keeping your work life and your personal life separate, but equal, whereas work-life integration is centered on the belief that there is no distinction between the two and that both must coexist in harmony.”

What is work/life synergy?

Work-life synergy is a mutually beneficial relationship between your personal and work life , where both complement the other. When a person is fully supported to be their whole self, and do work in alignment with their strengths, they feel engaged and empowered in other aspects of their life.

What are the five steps to working life balance?

  1. Examine your situation. Think about what your most important values are and how you want to spend your time. ...
  2. Manage other people’s expectations. ...
  3. Take care of your health. ...
  4. Learn to say no. ...
  5. Plan fun activities for your personal time.

Why is work/life balance so hard?

Work-life balance can be hard if you believe that the only way to do something well is to do it yourself . This means you can never delegate, and as such you are not scalable. Your ego gets in the way of you being free, and it gets in the way of the growth of everyone who works for you.

What are the disadvantages of work-life balance?

  • What Then is Work-life Balance?
  • Leads to a Complacent Attitude.
  • Lack of Communication and Innovation.
  • Distractions and Missed Collaborations.

How can employees improve work/life balance?

  1. Offer flexible and remote working. ...
  2. Encourage managers to focus on productivity rather than hours. ...
  3. Encourage breaks. ...
  4. Regularly review workloads. ...
  5. Lead by example. ...
  6. Give employees time to volunteer. ...
  7. Reconsider time off. ...
  8. Increase support for parents.

How do you achieve a healthy work/life balance?

  1. Play to your strengths. Don’t try and be all things to all people. ...
  2. Prioritise your time. ...
  3. Know your peaks and troughs. ...
  4. Plot some personal time. ...
  5. Have set work hours – and stick to them. ...
  6. Find time for your finances. ...
  7. Manage your time, long term. ...
  8. Make your workspace work for you.
Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.