It’s no secret that the boundaries between work and life have been blurring in recent years. Ever since the pandemic’s large-scale shift to remote and hybrid work brought the office into our living rooms, it’s become far too easy for employees to accidentally overextend themselves from the “comfort” of their own homes.
The idea of work-life balance attempts to fix this issue by clearly distinguishing between working hours and personal time, but it can be difficult to achieve when met with the realities of life.
That's where work-life integration comes in.
This approach embraces true work schedule flexibility, recognizing that professional responsibilities and personal needs don’t have to be at odds.
Coined by Arianna Huffington, co-founder of The Huffington Post, the term “work-life integration” refers to when an employee can seamlessly coordinate their personal and professional responsibilities around each other.
In contrast to work-life balance, which focuses on finding an equilibrium between work and personal life, integration posits that these schedules can overlap without a drop in performance. According to Huffington, this approach is a natural progression from the pandemic-era days of the Great Resignation and quiet quitting. As people began to reevaluate what they wanted out of their lives and careers, they started reimagining the separation of personal time and work hours entirely.
What does this look like exactly? That all depends on the employee.
Parents might benefit from a flexible schedule that allows them to drive their children to and from school. For others, integration could mean leaving the office for a mid-day appointment and then finishing work at home. Many employees find working from home to be more productive, as it gives them the opportunity to complete tasks for work as well as for their personal wellbeing, such as doing the laundry or cooking a meal.
On the other hand, using only a work-life balance model would require employees to schedule any personal responsibility outside of their work hours, eating away at their free time. This can quickly lead to stress and burnout as employees struggle with opposing priorities.
Of course, integrating work and private life isn’t always easy, and some employers still have reservations. Whether it’s a lack of performance management oversight or the possibility of distracting personal activities, there are a few challenges involved.
These challenges may seem daunting, but many companies thought the same about adopting a hybrid model at first, and now 62% of U.S. companies offer this flexibility. Before we get into the eight strategies to overcome these obstacles, it’s worth knowing the benefits in store.
Here are just a few advantages that come with integrating work and personal life:
When employees have the autonomy to create schedules that fit their personal and professional lives, they can work during their most productive hours. This flexibility also allows employees to manage their tasks more efficiently without the stress of conflicting commitments weighing on their minds. By eliminating the rigid constraints of a typical 9-5 work schedule, employees can minimize downtime and address personal tasks in a timely manner to prevent them from becoming distractions.
Integrating work and life can also play a crucial role in improving employee mental health. Reducing the pressure to compartmentalize their lives can alleviate the stress and anxiety that often come from struggling to meet personal and professional obligations. Moreover, giving employees control over their schedule leads to a greater sense of autonomy and job satisfaction, further improving mental wellbeing.
Whereas traditional work models can lead to long hours that contribute to burnout, work-life integration acknowledges the importance of rest and personal time in maintaining productivity and motivation. This flexible approach empowers employees to set boundaries that work for them, allowing them to recharge when they need to. As workers integrate and balance these aspects of their lives, they can establish healthier work habits that minimize stress.
In addition to all of these benefits, supporting work-life integration can improve overall employee satisfaction by showing them they’re trusted and valued and that their needs are respected. Not only does this approach foster a positive company culture that acknowledges the importance of life outside work, but it also boosts loyalty by keeping employees happy, healthy, and engaged.
When employees see their personal wellbeing reflected not just in their company's values, but its actions as well, it not only increases their productivity and engagement but also their loyalty.
To find out more about how you can move from work-life balance to work-life integration, check out our eBook on the topic.