Concerns Related to Work-Life Balance

Syllabus: GS3/Economy, GS4/ Ethics

Context

  • The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo moto cognizance of the reported death of a chartered accountant girl from Kerala in Pune due to alleged excessive workload in a private company.

About

  • The Commission urged the businesses to review their work culture, employment policies, and regulations to ensure alignment with global human rights standards. 
  • It also emphasised that businesses should be sensitive to and accountable for human rights issues. 
  • The Commission issued a notice to the Ministry of Labour and Employment to submit a report within four weeks.
    • The report is expected to include the steps being and proposed to be taken to ensure such incidents do not recur.

What is Work-Life Balance?

  • Work-life balance refers to the ability to effectively manage your professional responsibilities alongside your personal life and well-being. 
  • It involves finding a healthy equilibrium between work obligations, family time, personal interests, and self-care. 
  • Achieving this balance can lead to reduced stress, improved productivity, and overall better mental and physical health. 

Implications of Work-Life Imbalance

  • Increased Stress: Over time, an overwhelming amount of stress can lead to many lifestyle diseases like high BP, diabetes, and even mental health issues.
  • Prolonged imbalance can result in burnout, characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy at work.
  • Neglecting personal life can harm relationships.
  • An imbalance can lead to feelings of resentment toward work.

Scenario in India

  • According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) the average work week in some of the first-world countries is less than in India. 
    • While the average workweek in India is 46.7 hours, in contrast to this, people in the United States work for an average of 38 hours a week, in Japan for 36.6 hours per week, and in the UK for roughly 35.9 hours. 
  • India makes it one of the top 15 countries in the world to have the highest workweeks. 

Reasons for Work-Life Imbalance in India

  • Technological Advancements: The rise of remote work and constant connectivity through smartphones makes it difficult for employees to disconnect from work.
  • Cultural Expectations: In India it is a cultural expectation to prioritize work, leading employees to sacrifice personal time for job commitments.
  • Job Insecurity: Economic fluctuations and a competitive job market cause individuals to work longer hours to demonstrate commitment and job security.
  • Workplace Hierarchies: Traditional hierarchies in many organizations lead to a culture of overwork, where employees feel pressured to adhere to long hours.

Laws in other countries that India Can Adopt: 

  • Right to disconnect: In 2017, France became the first country to have a right to disconnect law for employees.
    • According to it, workers have a right to ignore work-related communications after their working hours.
    • Over the years, many countries including Spain, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Australia among others have also implemented this law. 
    • In Portugal managers can even be fined for calling their employees after their work hours.
  • 4-day work week: Many countries have now adopted a 4-day work week culture which aims at having more productivity and keeping employees happy.
    • Some countries that have adopted this policy include Belgium, Netherlands, Japan, among others.
  • Mandatory Vacations: In Austria employees who have worked for six months or more in a company are entitled to get a minimum of five weeks of paid annual leave every year.
    • At a time when employees are sometimes made to feel guilty for taking leaves, adopting such laws would help make workplaces better for their employees’ well-being. 
  • Career break or time credit: In Belgium, people can take a year-off from their work without losing their job.
    • In some special cases, this time credit can be extended to up to six years.

International Labour Standards

  • They are legal instruments drawn up by the ILO’s constituents (governments, employers and workers) and setting out basic principles and rights at work. 
  • Conventions and Recommendations: ILS are formal instruments that include conventions (legally binding) and recommendations (non-binding). Countries that ratify conventions commit to implementing the standards.
    • These include freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced labor, the abolition of child labor, and the elimination of discrimination in employment.
  • Decent Work Agenda: This framework promotes opportunities for everyone to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity.
  • Social Protection: ILS advocate for social security systems that provide support in times of need, such as unemployment, illness, and retirement.

Conclusion

  • The Bhagavad Gita, also emphasises the need to have balance in all aspects of one’s life.
    • When applied to modern times, it teaches one to be detached and stay balanced to lead a more fulfilling life– be it their professional or personal life.
  • Addressing work-life balance is essential for individual well-being and organizational health.

Source: AIR

 

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