In this article I discuss 4 questions about work and life but mainly focusing on the concept of balancing work and life. It is a fine line walked by many employees, employers and is a constant topic for human resources.

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Do we work too much and allow it to bleed over into our personal lives? Does work become so all-consuming that it destroys
whatever it was that motivated the employee? Can an imbalance in the work-life equation even cause harm to the employee
both mentally and physically? Is it generational leaving some only wanting to work 8-5 and others content with 24/7?
4 Questions About Work Life Balance
I’ve heard a lot of talk and read a lot of articles recently on the concept of work-life balance. It is my opinion that social media
and the technology powering it blurs the lines between the two more than any other time. So, let’s take a look at this
balancing act by answering the questions mentioned above.
Do we work too much and allow it to bleed over into our personal lives?
This question will be answered differently by different people. My answer is: YES. I am guilty of this but, on some level, I am
happy with it. The key to the balance is to be able to know when to click the off switch.
Does work become so all-consuming that it destroys whatever it was that motivated the
employee?
This is the biggie. Maybe, of all the questions I present in this post, this is the biggest. My answer is: IT CAN BUT
SHOULDN’T. Work should never be so all-consuming that an employee feels as if he/she is drowning in work. This is the
point, if the feeling of drowning in work continues, when the motivated employee loses much of what makes him/her special.
They no longer go the extra mile because, at first, they simply do not have the time or energy. Then, after the motivation is
lost, the desire to go the extra mile is...simply...gone.
Can an imbalance in the work-life equation even cause harm to the employee both
mentally and physically?
This is a no-brainer. My answer is: YES. Look no further than the previous question. The loss of motivation….the
overwhelming feeling….guess what they create? How about a sense of dread when going to work? How about disdain for
their job? Would those feelings then result in a potential cause of depression? YES!

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Is it generational leaving some only wanting to work 8-5 and others content with 24/7?
My answer is: POSSIBLE. The key to the answer is the employee’s personality and his/her personal circumstances. For
example, their job may demand 24/7 and - because the employee MUST work to feed his/her family - the employee does not
have any other choice. Another employee - someone fresh out of college - would be eager to climb the success ladder. The
24/7 would be part of that climb.
About Author:
I am the Human Resources Manager at MegaGate Broadband, Inc. serving in various capacities within the
company since 1996. I am the Co-Social Media Director of Mississippi SHRM and the 2014-2015 Social Media
Director for South Mississippi SHRM. I am a longtime fan of Doctor Who and joined the HR Blogging community
with the HR to Who blog in late 2012.
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