We don’t talk about work-life balance at enreap. This is because the term ‘work-life balance’ suggests that work and life are at odds with each other. Work-life balance is a myth, and chasing after it only creates discord and discontentment. It suggests that work and life exist in isolation from each other.
We say that work-life balance is a pipe dream because the change in market dynamics, technological evolution, and changing business models make work-life balance impossible to achieve. If an individual wants work-life balance, then ideally, they would be spending eight hours committed to work, then dedicate the rest to meeting the needs of their life – family commitments, personal interests, sleep, etc.
Work-life balance pits work against every other aspect of our lives. While ‘work’ is important, this term lumps together all the different aspects of our lives into one word. It does not account for the totality of the roles that we play, and it makes the term ‘life’ too simple and lateral. This attitude then unfortunately weighs things down in the favor of ‘work’ and sets us up for imbalance and, consequently, frustration.
Work-Life Balance Is Fundamentally Unachievable
Work-life balance demands isolation and compartmentalization of an individual’s self. This leads to more discord and frustration. In my career, there have been many moments where my work life had to take priority over my personal life. I have spent extra hours at work when needed. Any successful individual will tell you that, at times, you will need to put in that extra when you want to achieve something.
At the same time, there have been times when I have prioritized my personal life during work hours. I have prioritized my well-being and have been able to create a life where balance comes from clear prioritization.
At enreap, we follow a similar philosophy – we believe that today’s world of work and life have to seamlessly integrate to create a life that allows space for the fulfillment of both aspects.
Also Read: How Employees Are Recognised and Appreciated at enreap?
Work-Life Integration Is the Path We Take
We talk about work-life integration instead of work-life balance. This approach allows individuals to efficiently coordinate work schedules and personal responsibilities. It isn’t about finding a ‘perfect’ balance between work and life but more about finding ways to help the two co-exist peacefully.
With work-life integration, our employees get the flexibility to choose when they tackle their duties and do not draw hard lines between their personal and professional lives. Because of this, our workforce can give equitable attention to all facets of their lives without sacrificing one for the other. I say ‘equitable’ because sometimes work will need priority, and sometimes our personal commitments and duties will.
Because work-life integration does not pit work and life against each other, it gives people a sense of empowerment. This is also because people feel more in control of their time, and it helps them manage all aspects of their life with complete focus. For example, if an employee has to attend their child’s school even during office hours, they can do so without any worry or guilt. So, when they are at the event, they can be 100% present there. When they come back to the office, they are completely committed to the work at hand because they feel more fulfilled.
In the absence of this integration, the employee would have feelings of guilt while taking some personal time during work hours. At the school event, the employee would be thinking of work, and if they missed the event, then they would be thinking about the event at work. The resultant productivity would be negative.
Keeping these things in mind, we have created an organizational culture that is designed to enable work-life integration.
Some of the key things that we do for this are:
Provide Unwavering Support
People can often be ruled by biases and opinions. We ensure that we provide an unbiased and non-judgmental environment that allows people to bring their whole selves to work. We support our employees in achieving their goals and help them build the self-discipline needed to remain productive without compromising their well-being.
Growth Opportunities Are Not Linked with Time ‘At’ Work
The adage ‘look busy, stay easy’ falls flat in our organization. We trust our employees as we have a rigorous interview process that makes sure we hire the right fit. Our employees are self-aware and conscientious and know that what matters most is getting the job done. Growth opportunities are linked with work outcomes, and high-potential employees are given opportunities to fast-track growth opportunities, irrespective of the amount of face time.
An Equitable and Safe Environment
We provide a work environment that is empathetic and compassionate. It is an environment where the focus is on equity, inclusiveness, and creating psychological safety. Our employees have easy access to the top management and can reach out to them for guidance and support to navigate both personal and professional challenges.
This makes sure that employees feel safe enough to be candid about their personal commitments. This support also gives them access to experts who have navigated challenging transitions and provides the guidance needed to cultivate the right habits and create clear plans that lead to positive outcomes.
Rooted in Respect
Respect is a crucial element that enables work-life integration and helps people live positive and fulfilling lives. At enreap, respect is coded into the DNA of the organization. We value all our employees equally. The degree of respect given to all is the same – whether they are the CEO or the office boy.
By being respectful of each other and our similarities as well as differences, we create an environment of trust and enablement that allows all people to show up in their most authentic selves. This helps us, as an organization, evaluate our employees’ work and life needs and deliver proactive support whenever needed.
Conclusion
Alain de Botton said, “There is no such thing as work-life balance. Everything worth fighting for unbalances your life.” The concept of work-life balance becomes fundamentally unachievable because it presents the notion that personal and professional responsibilities must be in perfect sync with each other.
We recognize the fact that people don’t have a ‘work self’ and a ‘home self.’ They just are one complete person. This person wants to advance in their career and have a thriving professional life. The same person also wants to meet their personal goals, aspirations, duties, and desires. Both these aspects together contribute to how a person shows up and responds to different situations in life and how they make decisions.
As such, while it might be tempting to give in to the ‘hustle culture,’ we want to deliver an environment where productivity and profitability are not at odds with living a fulfilling, abundant, and joyous life. Hence, you won’t hear us talking about work-life balance. You will see us champion in work-life integration!
