{"id":92781,"date":"2024-10-15T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content-stg-talogy.pantheonsite.io\/?p=92781"},"modified":"2025-11-06T14:24:36","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T14:24:36","slug":"what-is-work-life-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/talogy.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-work-life-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"What is work-life balance?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Work-life balance has become an increasingly important topic for both leaders and employees, but reactions to it can vary across generations. Work has changed dramatically since the invention of the Blackberry in 1999 which was one of the first times we held the internet in our hands. With the explosion of smartphones in the years that followed, work is now accessible 24\/7, 365 days a year, blurring the lines between professional and personal life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For past generations, the workday was truly 9-to-5. Once you clocked out, you went home, spent time with your family, and enjoyed the rewards of your labour. There was not only a time barrier but also a physical one. Fast forward to today and work can be done anytime, anywhere, erasing the distinction between an employee and their job. So, how can someone find balance between work and life today? How can employers help improve work-life balance? And should it be a priority for them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is work-life balance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In its simplest terms, work-life balance means making sure you have enough time and energy for both your job and your personal life. It\u2019s about not letting work take over everything or letting personal life get neglected. While attempts have been made to officially define work-life balance, there remains no academic consensus. Despite not having a universally agreed-upon definition, several common themes help define its core principles. Monique Valcour, a leading scholar, describes work-life balance as “a concept whose popular usage has outpaced its theoretical development<\/a>.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In their research on the relationship between work-life balance and engagement, Jacob Wood and his colleagues derived a definition rooted in common themes of work-family conflict and resource distribution<\/a>. They found that employees achieve work-life balance when they experience “a sufficient degree of satisfaction at both home and work.” This balance is achieved through “attentive engagement in multiple roles, with time and involvement distributed roughly equally.” Some critics argue that this definition overlooks subjective interpretations of work-life balance<\/a>, while others question whether true work-life balance is even attainable<\/a>. Nonetheless, Wood’s definition is pragmatic, aligning with public understanding of what work-life balance is while being grounded in theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is work-life imbalance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Work-life imbalance occurs when individuals face demands that threaten or drain their resources faster than they can restore them. In other words, work-life imbalance happens when work takes up so much of your time and energy that you don\u2019t have enough left for other important parts of your life \u2013 like family or hobbies \u2013 leaving most people feeling unhappy and stressed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are several explanations for what causes work-life imbalance, the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory is a key framework that offers practical insights for leaders and HR professionals. COR suggests that humans are driven to protect their resources and acquire new ones<\/a>, making it useful for understanding a wide range of behaviours. This theory highlights \u2018loss spirals,\u2019 where losing one resource makes it harder to maintain others. For example, if John Smith is given only two days to complete a financial report that requires five, he faces a threat to his resources or things that bring him joy outside of work (e.g., picking up his kids from school, participating in his sports league, or attending a weekly lunch with co-workers). Although these may seem like small sacrifices, they provide John with stress relief and emotional support, and without them, he risks losing additional resources. This imbalance isn\u2019t limited to work; significant resource loss in any area can lead to employee burnout<\/a> if not addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is work-life balance important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Work-life balance is important for employees to prioritise as it helps them stay happy, healthy, and less stressed by ensuring they have enough time for both work and the things outside of work that they enjoy. Though some view \u2018work\u2019 and \u2018life\u2019 as competing interests, the Conservation of Resources framework encourages leaders to see work-life balance as beneficial for both the company and the employee’s wellbeing. A common misconception is that achieving work-life balance means working less or being less engaged at work. However, it\u2019s all about resources according to the COR, and leaders must recognise that an employee\u2019s life outside of work is a critical resource for high job performance<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that family plays a significant role in performance at work<\/a>, especially when family conflicts deplete this resource. Cornelia Niessen explains that work-life balance provides employees with energy<\/a>, self-efficacy, and a positive attitude, which intrinsically motivates<\/a> them to stay engaged at work. Additionally, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is strongly linked to improved employee mental health, job satisfaction, and commitment to their organisation. Rather than viewing life and work as conflicting, they should be seen as mutually reinforcing to their organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to improve work-life balance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\nIt\u2019s important for employees to maintain a healthy balance between work and their personal lives. Here are some ways to improve your work-life balance:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n