The need for a work-life balance gets the most attention during boom times, when work is plentiful and there’s a seemingly endless amount of money to be made. Just a short time ago, when things were rosier and the economy seemed unstoppable, it was the hot topic amongst workers, employers, and commentators. Now, with many people worried about layoffs and bankruptcies, trying to balance the demands of an excess of work with pleasure seems like a quaint throwback to simpler times. The topic has virtually dropped off the radar, and I suspect that the ever elusive balance is top on the list of very few workers today.
One would think that periods of economic slowdown would be a boon for those seeking balance. Less demand should equate to less overtime and less stress, a temporary reprieve from the madness. Yet the very opposite may prove to be true- a slowing economy can actually result in significant increases in stress and workload. Job cuts rarely correspond neatly to a reduction of the work that needs to be done, leaving those “lucky ones” who have been spared from the HR scythe with increased workloads and heavier obligations. When faced with these new demands, very few people are willing to step back in the name of balance when doing so may very well result in their own names being moved to the top of the “to cut” list. Instead, they find themselves having to work longer and harder to prove their value, motivated not by money or prestige or shallow successes, but by survival.
It is during these times that balance becomes more important than ever. The stresses of economic uncertainty can wreak havoc with our relationships, both personal and professional, and can be detrimental to personal health and mental well being at a time when these may be just the supports that are needed to cope with the challenges being faced. Additionally, it is particularly precarious to have your entire identity and sense of self worth tied up in your career and personal accomplishments at a time when these may be the least stable aspects of your life. Defining yourself based on your career can be detrimental at the best of times, but when things are uncertain it can be downright dangerous.
That is not to say that one need not keep economic realities in mind and fiddle while the economy burns (unless, of course, you’re a professional fiddler). It’s important to be extra vigilant with your career when times are tough, but it is equally important to ensure that you don’t salvage your job at the expense of the very reasons you wanted to retain it in the first place. Global economic problems are not within your control, but the quality of your life and your own happiness are. Taking steps to ensure your own happiness and sanity will ensure that you’re properly equipped to deal with whatever challenges you face as the recession runs its course.
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I don’t like the work-life division, but you’re right. Nobody seems to care about long hours and stress when you may not have a job to show up at tomorrow.
I’ve found my workload has gotten much worse because we’ve laid off some staff and not renewed others. There’s just as much work to be done, but fewer people to do it. My wife is the same way. It’s draining when both people are stressed and working way too much…
It’s easier to contemplate cutting back at the office in the name of “balance” when doing so only means giving up luxuries, like a big screen TV or a new car. When doing so could lead to job loss or severe financial difficulties, it’s not really an option.
The idea of balance is a luxury for those who are already financially stable. It’s the topic of discussion amongst engineers, doctors, and yes, lawyers, but you won’t find a lot of Tim Hortons cashiers or gas station attendants musing about trying to find that balance between work and play. When you’re just barely making ends meet, it’s a moot point. With many more people now facing that reality, it’s no surprise that balance is being ignored.