Work life balance and Covid-19 – A bitter sweet relationship

The global shift of working environment during Covid-19 pandemic has led to drastic need of adapting to remote work culture. As a ripple effect the employers and employees are understanding the real importance of striking a balance between work and life, which is becoming even more difficult to achieve.

Several months into the pandemic there have been some good and some bad or unwanted developments. Good outcome of this crisis is that employers are now adaptive of needs of employees, more than ever, and are more concerned about and ready to work for the health and safety of employees.

But the pandemic crisis at the same time has made everyone realize how difficult it is to achieve a work life balance as compared to pre-pandemic times. The fading boundary between work and personal life as working culture has shifted entirely to ‘work from home’ has made this realization a hard hitting fact.

Companies and employers are more open and flexible to adapt

The pandemic has made the organizations and employers realize the “well-being” of employees in a broader sense. Studies show over 74% of companies have extended and enhances purposeful employee assistance programs to keep their employees’ all round growth and health at the center. There has also been an increase in family-friendly policies with increased flexibility of working hours and leaves, keeping in mind the health of employees and their families during the present unprecedented times of Covid-19 pandemic.

Yoga and meditation workshops are also being organized remotely by the companies to keep mental health of employees at top game and a priority.

‘Work’ and ‘Life’ balance has gone blurred

This balance was always a tricky one to achieve, and the pandemic has blurred the boundary between these two aspects of life hazier than ever, and the balance a humongous task to achieve.

Surveys and studies indicate that there is a piled up ‘unhappy’ area for employees as though they are saving time by not commuting for work, all that extra time is going straight into “work hours”. The end of office day is not anymore in existence and working hours are stretching and overlapping with personal life.

This is a contributing factor in probable increase in stress and displeased outlook of employees which might impact the quality and productivity of work.

The current scenario of work from home is likely going to be the trend in foreseeable future. The cautious attempt by companies towards following a structure for working hours can resolve the dispute of blurred work and life balance. This balance is very important for mental health of every individual, especially when the world is locked inside and normal life is nowhere to be seen.