As a former teacher, I used to wake up in the morning and get work done before I stepped foot onto the campus. When I got home I would feel extremely drained and exhausted from the day, which for the most part, prevented me from getting much done after work. However, some days I would get work done either out of necessity or guilt. Unfortunately, it was never enough. My inability to get work done after work is what led to my downfall. There was not enough time in the day to possibly get everything done. In the eyes of my coworkers I was a slacker. I didn’t spend enough hours after school or over the weekend to get all my grading done.
You might be wondering why I didn’t work on the weekends or whenever I possibly could. The answer: I wanted work-life balance. I was getting paid the lowest I have ever been paid as a teacher, and I was expected to give up my life for what? A measly 40,000 dollars. I don’t think so. I don’t believe in overworking when I’m already not being fairly compensated. I ended up quitting mid-year because it was just too overwhelming. The more I tried to have work-life balance at that school, the more I fell behind.
Overall, I can see why so many teachers are quitting the profession every year. For a lot of teachers, work-life balance is impossible. Teachers are struggling, but they aren’t the only ones. There are so many professions that expect salaried employees to work above and beyond their contracted hours. I personally believe that in addition to not being fairly compensated employers disrespect for their employees’ time is a big reason why so many people are quitting their jobs in search of better ones. At the end of the day, work-life balance is a must.
Work-Life Balance
In his article, published in 2019 entitled, “Work-Life Balance and Life Satisfaction in OECD Countries: A Cross Sectional Analysis,” Hideo Noda found that “increasing the percentage of time devoted to leisure and personal care would lead to an increase in people’s life satisfaction in OECD countries” (1343). This is important information for those who live in the United States, as well as for those who live in the other 33 OECD countries because it illustrates the importance work-life balance has on the well-being of both men and women. According to Noda, his research complements that of Geurts’. Geurts as well as his fellow colleagues published a study in 2009, which found “that working high number of contractual or overtime hours was associated with high work-family conflict” (Noda, 1343-1344). The results in the study indicate “that very long working days should be avoided and that controlling working time may be a powerful tool to help workers maintain a good work-family balance” (Noda, 1344).
Hideo Noda’s findings aren’t surprising. It makes sense that a healthy work-life balance increases life satisfaction. When I was a teacher I was stressed, overworked, and underpaid. My life satisfaction, specifically my satisfaction with my job had plummeted. The days, maybe even weeks before I quit, I started listening to therapy podcasts on my ride to work. I wanted something to help me feel better, to help me get through the day. I was anxious, sad, and tired. I loved teaching my students, but as a whole, I didn’t like the job. The workload was too high and the salary was too low.
It is important to note that quitting isn’t always the answer. Noda’s study also found that long-term unemployment led to a decrease in life-satisfaction (1346). However, this doesn’t mean you should never quit a job that doesn’t allow for a well-balanced work-life. You can always secure a new job before quitting your current one. Or, if your situation allows for it you can quit your current job and search for a new one. If you go the latter route, remember that it can take a long time to find a new job.
If you want work-life balance, but don’t want to quit your job, there are other options! One option is to talk to your boss and let him or her know that you currently feel overwhelmed with your current workload. Of course, it’s important to use discretion when deciding to confide in your boss. There is a chance your boss will lower your workload, but there’s also a chance that your honesty will get you into trouble. If you feel like you have a good boss that you can trust, then it might be best to let him or her know how you are feeling.
Set Boundaries at Work
The second option is to take charge and to set-up boundaries. If you can help it, don’t take work home. Instead, spend time living your life. Work will always be around, but you won’t be, so enjoy the life you have. Don’t miss out on living. Know when you need to say “No” to additional work. Ask for help when you need it. You don’t always need to be the person who works 24/7. You can be the person who has boundaries.
In the end, it’s important to shift away from overworking and toward a more balanced work-life. We can start by setting up boundaries at work. Our bosses and colleagues shouldn’t expect us to constantly work outside of our work schedule. At the same time, we shouldn’t expect others to work outside of their work hours. Hopefully, the culture of shaming people for not working around the clock ends.
Hope for the Future
We should commend those who have work-life balance. The ones who are courageous enough to say that work stays at work are the ones who are going to help turn the tide so that future generations can have a better work-life. I hope there will be a day when salaried employees aren’t expected to work before work, after work, and on the weekends. In the end, I believe my generation will be the generation to change the workforce for the better. I believe you can change the workplace for the better.
Work Cited
Noda, Hideo. “Work-Life Balance and Life Satisfaction in OECD Countries: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.” Journal of Happiness Studies, 2019.