, How Pursuing Work-Life Harmony is Making Us Unhappy...

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Hi !

Welcome back to where I dissect the chaos, call out the nonsense and give you practical insights that don’t require a TED Talk to understand.

Today, I’m challenging the latest trends surrounding work-life harmony.

What’s Inside:

• The Four-Day Workweek: Why working less isn't the silver bullet for work-life harmony.

• The Dark Side of Flexibility: How "flexible" work arrangements are blurring boundaries and increasing burnout.

• The Wellness Trap: How corporate wellness programs are masking deeper issues in workplace culture.

Part One: The Four-Day Workweek Fallacy (More Time Off Doesn't Equal More Harmony)

The four-day workweek has been hailed as the ultimate solution to achieving work-life harmony in some circles and cultures.

Countries like Japan and Iceland have experimented with shorter workweeks, reporting increased productivity and employee satisfaction.

Okay, given that, maybe it’s a ‘start’ based on the prevalent knowledge and how time/outcomes seem to remain the ultimate KPI for organisations.

But can we guarantee that reducing work hours addresses the underlying issues that disrupt work-life harmony?

I still see it as putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.

• Overwork Culture: In many organisations, the constant expectation of availability persists, regardless of official work hours. I have friends who are working on their ‘day off.’

• Inequitable Implementation: Not all industries or roles can accommodate a four-day workweek, leading to disparities and resentment among employees. Sometimes, intercompany departments have different needs, with one department having a four-day week and another not, making the issue worse.

Quick Action:

Instead of solely focusing on reducing work hours, address the root causes of overwork in your organisation. Work on a culture that values efficiency and respects personal time, regardless of the number of workdays.

Part Two: The Dark Side of Flexibility (When 'Flexible' Becomes 'Always On')

Like the above, flexible work arrangements are often touted as the key to achieving work-life harmony. Again, the reality is more complex.

• Blurring Boundaries: Without clear guidelines, flexible work can lead to employees feeling like they must be always available, eroding personal time and increasing stress.

Insight: A study highlighted that while flexible work policies are intended to improve work-life ‘balance,’ they can lead to employees working more extended hours and struggling to disconnect from work.

Quick Action:

Encourage employees to set specific work hours and communicate them to their teams to prevent the "always-on" mentality. Do this proactively rather than ‘chancing it’ through calls and e-mails, or the infamous ‘just a quick one’ which never is ‘quick.’

Part Three: The Wellness Trap (When Yoga Classes Aren't Enough)

Corporate wellness programs have become a staple in many organisations, offering everything from meditation sessions to gym memberships. While well-intentioned, these programs can sometimes serve as a façade, masking deeper issues within the workplace culture.

The Issue:

• Surface-Level Solutions: Offering wellness programs without addressing systemic problems like unrealistic workloads or toxic management practices is like putting icing on a rotten cake.

Despite the trend of wellness initiatives, many employees experience burnout, indicating that these programs are insufficient.

It’s become a norm, a competitive advantage, and a game of who offers the best ‘perks.’ While having perks is ideal and encouraged, don’t mistake it for ‘culture.’

I recently saw a promotional video for an organisation that was used for an exhibition focused on recruitment and work.

The video was a few minutes long and covered everything from the gym and yoga studio and the coffee shop downstairs to the size of the lobby and reception area, grooming and laundry services, etc., and absolutely nothing about the work culture in an attempt to attract candidates.

Quick Action:

Go beyond wellness programs. Conduct a thorough assessment of your organisation's culture and address the root causes of employee stress and dissatisfaction.

Reading Recommendation

"Dying for a Paycheck" by Jeffrey Pfeffer

This book explores how modern management practices harm employee health and company performance. Pfeffer calls for a paradigm shift towards human sustainability in the workplace, advocating for prioritising employee well-being and stating that it’s essential for ethical and economic reasons.

Quick Note: Schedule Your Free 30-Minute Clarity Call

Let's talk if you’re a senior leader ready to challenge the status quo. My approach blends emotional intelligence, structured reflection, and real-world leadership tactics (minus the corporate fluff).

👉 Schedule your complimentary 30-minute clarity call here

Let's Reflect

• Are you implementing trendy solutions without addressing underlying cultural issues?

  • Reflect on whether initiatives like the four-day workweek or wellness programs genuinely improve work-life harmony or are just there as superficial fixes.

• Could your flexible work policies be contributing to employee burnout?

  • Assess if the lack of clear boundaries in flexible work arrangements is leading to an "always-on" culture.

• Is there a disconnect between your organisation's wellness programs and its work culture?

  • Consider whether your wellness initiatives align with a supportive work environment or are masking deeper problems.

Let's rethink the assumption that popular solutions automatically lead to better work-life harmony.

Fun Corner

"The Quirky Desk Safari"

Try this: Invite your team to participate in a "Desk Safari," where each member captures a photo of an everyday object in their workspace that, with a bit of imagination, resembles a wild animal. For example, a stapler might look like a crocodile or a tangled pair of headphones could resemble a jellyfish.​

• How it works: Team members share their photos in a common chat or during a virtual meeting, and everyone guesses what animal is being depicted. This activity sparks creativity, encourages a fun break from routine, and offers a lighthearted way to connect with colleagues.​

• Why it matters: Engaging in playful activities can boost morale, foster team bonding, and provide a refreshing mental break, contributing to overall work-life harmony.​

The outcome: A collection of amusing "wildlife" photos, shared laughter, and a more connected team.

A Personal Reflection

I advocate for a holistic approach to leadership, where achieving harmony between work and life is essential.

Over the years, my journey has taught me that while ambition drives us, moments of personal significance define our legacy, which involves others, our families, friends, and those we care about.

Life is multidimensional, and many argue that it should be life-work harmony. I somewhat agree, but as it’s predominantly an issue caused by ‘work’, it’s a ‘work’ issue, responsibility, and duty of care.

Whether in leadership or non-leadership positions, we can do our part to help make this a norm, not a ‘perk’ or luxury.

The Final Word

Trendy solutions aren’t the answer to work-life harmony.

Address the fundamental aspects of workplace culture that impact employee well-being.

Side note: the rebels, the challengers, and the innovators shape the future.

Share Your Thoughts

I'm curious to hear about your journey through this week's newsletter. Feel free to hit reply and share your experiences or any revelations you've had.

How Else I Can Help

I also offer consulting services based on my senior leadership experience and am available for speaking engagements, including events, keynotes, podcasts, and course recordings. For further details, contact me here or reply to this email.

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