Work-Life Integration – TPW483

Most of us have many responsibilities outside of work. How can we balance it all, though? Join me as we talk about a term that was new to me: work-life integration.   Work-life balance . . . or work-life integration? Of course we’ve all heard and read about work-life balance, a phrase I’ve known for years but never much liked to use because to me it implies, first, that work and life are separate things, and second, that balance--in terms of having just the right amount of each--is possible. And in my experience it hasn’t been. So then I’ve felt like I was doing it wrong.  Recently, though, I read about the phrase “work-life integration,” and did some investigating into what it means and how it differs from work-life balance. Interestingly, most of the articles I found addressed the topic from the employer’s perspective, rather than the employee’s, offering suggestions for how business owners or managers can create a workplace that meets individual needs in a way that boosts both individual and company productivity. The concept and discussion are, nevertheless, worth considering for employees and the self-employed. Understanding Work-Life Integration Definition: The concept of work-life integration is perhaps best understood by how it differs from the traditional concept of work-life balance. There is a difference between work-life balance and work-life integration:  “Work-life balance is focused on keeping your work life and your personal life separate, but equal, whereas work-life integration is centered on the belief that there is no distinction between the two and that both must coexist in harmony.” [Stephen Kohler, CEO and Founder of Audira Labs, quoted in Work-Life Integration is the New Work-Life Balance. Is Your Team Ready?]  Another way of saying it: “While work-life balance typically emphasizes maintaining a healthy divide between our professional and personal life, work-life integration seeks to find a way for both aspects to coexist peacefully. . . . As opposed to work-life balance, which implies scales tip in one direction or another, work-life integration suggests finding harmony.” [from Work-life integration: What it is and 5 ways to develop it - emphasis mine]  “Rather than having distinct periods where you work for hours and then go home to do personal activities or spend time with your family, work-life integration involves working and doing personal activities when they make the most sense. An example of this is completing more work early in the morning so that you can attend a dentist's appointment in the afternoon without taking time off.” [from Work-Life Integration vs. Work-Life Balance: Key Differences] Evolution: The concept of work-life integration has developed in response to changing work environments, technology, and societal expectations. Remote work, flexible hours, and technology have blurred the lines between personal and professional life, necessitating a shift toward integration. This is magnified by the diverse needs of the workforce, including different generations, parents, singles, and those with caregiving responsibilities, and how integration accommodates these varied needs.  “The pandemic spurred a work-life integration that spiraled into a brimming burnout crisis. 95% of human resources executives admit that employee burnout is a leading cause of workforce turnover. Thus, enabling a healthy work-life balance is a major challenge for organizations today.