How Female Employees Are Prioritizing Work-Life Balance: A Questionnaire Analysis

Working women have always strived for a work-life balance that allows them to thrive both professionally and personally. The concept of finding a balance that is just right is subjective and varies from person to person. With the world completely shifting to remote work in the pandemic and the uneven distribution of domestic work, studies show that many women are redefining their priorities and figuring out what really matters to them when it comes to achieving a work-life balance that works. In this article, we will analyze a questionnaire survey conducted on female employees and see how they are prioritizing their work-life balance.

Questionnaire Background

The questionnaire was carried out on a sample of 500 female employees aged 24-45 in various industries. The survey questions focused on their work-life balance priorities, how they manage their work-life, and whether or not their employer’s initiatives around work-life balance are satisfactory. Let’s take a look at the key findings of the survey.

Key Findings of the Questionnaire

1. Importance of Work-Life Balance

88% of female employees rated work-life balance as important to their career decisions. It was found that most female employees prioritized a flexible work schedule and the ability to work remotely. According to the survey, 70% of female employees stated that they took the initiative to make changes in their work-life themselves, while 30% expected their employer to take the initiative.

2. Domestic Work and Mental Health

The survey revealed that domestic work had a significant impact on the female employees’ mental health. Nearly 45% of respondents found it challenging to manage both domestic work and professional work. The majority of female employees reported that they would appreciate if their employer offered measures such as mental health counseling to help manage this balancing act.

3. Employer’s Role

Female employees expect their employers to take more responsibility in promoting work-life balance policies. 42% of respondents stated that their employer’s initiatives were not satisfactory, and only 13% found their employer’s initiatives helpful. Additionally, 52% of female employees considered that work-life balance policies should be mandatory in their organizations.

How Women are Prioritizing Work-Life Balance

Through the survey, several priorities emerged, suggesting that women are adopting new work-life balance strategies as they continue to work remotely. Some of the top work-life balance strategies adopted by the female employees are:

1. Prioritizing Health

Female employees prioritize their physical and mental health the most, with 69% engaging in fitness routines and yoga. Additionally, 78% of female employees reported that they ensure they’re getting enough sleep.

2. Creating Routines

The survey revealed that female employees are focusing on creating routines to reduce stress. Nearly 63% of female employees stick to a daily routine, while 78% use to-do lists. This helps them plan their day and focus on essential tasks while reducing stress.

3. Avoiding Burnout

Due to the pandemic, most female employees have been working from home, leading to longer working hours. Female employees are consciously avoiding burnout by managing their schedules, finding ways to disconnect, and taking vacations to spend time with their families or take time off for themselves.

The Way Forwards

Employers need to work towards creating work environments that foster work-life balance, taking into account that every employee’s needs may differ. Work-life balance policies should be mandatory in organizations, and employers should focus on creating a positive working culture that values employee’s well being. Mental health support should also be a priority as it continues to impact employee’s productivity and work-life balance.

Conclusion

Through the analysis, we see that female employees prioritize work-life balance in their work lives and identify various strategies to achieve it. Employers have an integral role to play in meeting this essential need of their employees, which ultimately increases the employee’s productivity and focus towards organizational goals. Work-life policies need to be promoted and accepted by employers to create a positive work environment and to help increase job satisfaction of employees.