What is Work-Life Balance?

The term 'work-life balance' describes a person’s ability to effectively manage their paid work commitments with their career goals, personal, community and cultural responsibilities, interests and obligations. Work-life balance has also been described as:

“…a self defined, self determined state of well being that a person can reach, or can set as a goal, that allows them to manage effectively multiple responsibilities at work, at home, and in their community; it supports physical, emotional, family, and community health, and does so without grief, stress or negative impact.” (Human Resources and Social Development Canada)

“…people having some measure of control over when, where and how they work. It is achieved when an individual’s right to a fulfilled life inside and outside paid work is accepted and respected as a norm, to the mutual benefit of the individual, business and society.” (Employers for Work Life Balance)

Work-life balance is achieved when an individual’s right to an enriched life both within and outside paid work is recognised and valued.

The need to examine the balance between work and life is likely to impact on most people during their employment resulting in the need for flexible work arrangements at some stage, even for a short period of time. Adjustments to work arrangements may take the form of leave or a reduction in working hours, usually on a temporary and sometimes on a permanent basis. Life cycle demands that may cause people to request or seek change in their work arrangements include:

• pregnancy
• the birth or adoption of a child
• becoming a parent, guardian or grandparent
• the need to care for a family member who is ill or has a disability
• the desire to spend quality time with the family – at any stage
• the onset of short-term or long-term illness or disability
• deciding to return to study
• feeling tired, stressed and unenthusiastic at work
• spending too much time travelling to and from work each day
• the desire to pursue broader personal and/or community interests, such as volunteer work or sporting activities
• considering retiring from the paid workforce.