The impact of virtual office in work life balance
The impact of virtual office in work life balance
The world is characterized by
uncertainty, as nobody can predict when the next round of major changes will
occur on a global scale. The most recent alteration was the COVID-19 pandemic. It caused chaos in every
aspect of the economy. For most people around the world, this had a negative
impact on their everyday lives and means of subsistence. Nearly every company
had to either temporarily or permanently cease operations. It was also evident
that the majority of the current positions were under jeopardy. Nonetheless, a
few bigger companies or business sector groups that had enough revenue and
capital to handle this extraordinary difficulty were able to carry on with
their activities via a virtual platform.
In order to properly manage this scenario, these firms shifted a significant percentage of their vital services and operations, which led to a change in work patterns from an office setting to a virtual one. New marketplaces for products, services, and business prospects also developed during this period thanks to e-commerce, which strengthened the argument that using online virtual platforms is beneficial. Similar to other parts of the world, Sri Lanka experienced economic difficulties as a result of the pandemic and was forced to convert to WFH in order to maintain its economy.
The primary target audience for this WFH concept was Information Technology (IT) companies and those that use IT-based processes and procedures. Because of this, firms of this type also extensively implemented WFH in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depending on the environment at home, this had a beneficial or bad influence on employees' lifestyles. Adopting this new adjustment is a huge decision that requires careful thought. Not every employee has extensive understanding of electronic devices, new systems, technological breakthroughs, etc.—aspects that are heavily involved in virtual office platforms.
The virtual office platform has a number of benefits and drawbacks related to work-life balance. The virtual office platform primarily affects women, particularly those who have children. In order to maintain a healthy balance between their obligations to their families and their jobs, these women must carefully manage their time to keep a healthy balance between personal and professional life. Work-life synergy, according to Hobson, is the relationship between a parent's employment and their parenting style. Work-life balance is also influenced by life happiness, and high levels of work-family conflict can result from an unsupportive work environment. Some have noted a negative relationship between women's work-life balance and marital adjustment, including job performance. Although home office workers appear to be the most positive, both virtual office and home office workers felt that telework had improved their overall performance. A research that looked on the benefits of remote employment for women in the Canadian area has showed the role for women in work life balance.
Another element linked to the
occurrence of a great work-life balance is having a positive social
underpinning. Malalasekara looked at the connection between workers'
performance at work and work-life balance in a study conducted in Sri Lanka.
Results showed that family roles associated with employees have a big impact on
how successful people are in the commercial and public sectors. Employee
happiness, target expectations, and consumer satisfaction showed a positive and
significant linear link with childcare concerns, dependent care, and workers
who had healthy family time.
According to some
research, (mentioned in refences) an employer's rules and virtual platform cultures have an effect on
both the personal lives and work output of its employees. If workers feel that
their employer values, respects, and trusts them, and if they have received the
necessary project management, preparation (including online processes),
support, and guidance to do their work effectively, they will be more
productive. Employee productivity is positively impacted when workers do not
have to expend time, money, or resources on transportation from their place of
residence to their place of employment. In addition, management is responsible
for making sure that employees have access to the bare minimum of resources
(computers, internet access, etc.) and a pleasant workspace (a quiet area free
from distractions). as well as a "family friendly" work environment.
References
- Meegaswatta T. The Balancing Act: Employed Women Navigating the COVID-19 Lockdown in Sri Lanka. South Asian Survey. 2021
- Tremblay DG. Balancing work and family with telework? Organizational issues and challenges for women and managers. Women in Management Review. 2002;17(3/4):157–70.
- Hobson B. Gendered Dimensions and Capabilities: Opportunities, Dilemmas and Challenges. Critical Sociology. 2018
- Smith J & Johnson A (2020) The impact of marital adjustment on female work life balance and job performance, Journal of work life balance
- Smith J & Johnson A (2020) The advantages of virtual work for females. A study in the Canadian context. Canadian journal of work and Technology.
- Malalasekara CD. Relationship of Work-life Balance and Workplace Performance of Employees in Sri Lanka. The International Journal of Management. 2019
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, work-life balance is not just about the allocation of time between work and personal life; it also encompasses overall life happiness and satisfaction. When individuals feel fulfilled and content in both aspects of their lives, they are more likely to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
With the popularity of virtual office concepts, we have identified some of the organizations that try to reach employees regardless of working hours. Most managers think that working virtually means employees should be online all the time. How do you evaluate and suggest approaches to solve this issue?
ReplyDeleteBy implementing 1. Effective communication, companies can promote a healthier work environment in virtual offices, where employees feel supported, productive and balanced in their personal and professional lives. 2. Managers must establish clear expectations, they must ensure that they communicate the expectations clearly to the employees. Employees can create disconnecting hours and boundaries for work life balance more effectively when the schedules are clear. 3. Promote Flexible Schedules: Give workers the freedom to choose their own work hours, which will help them manage their personal and professional obligations. Employees who have flexible schedules are able to better manage their time and feel less pressure to be online all the time. Apart from these the managers also can 4. encourage Time Management Skills: Give staff members the tools and training they need to become better time managers. To prevent burnout, remind them to set boundaries, prioritize their work, and schedule breaks. Trust this will help.
DeleteThis blog delves into how virtual offices impact work-life balance, particularly for women and families, amidst the shift to remote work during the pandemic. It stresses the importance of supportive work environments and adequate resources in positively influencing productivity and personal lives. Overall, it highlights the complexities of managing work-life balance in virtual settings and the need for supportive policies and environments for employees to thrive.
ReplyDeleteYes Ruwan the significance of the work life balance concept is crucial now a days. Job seekers are hesitant to go for jobs where there is no work life balance. However this may require a bit of outside working hours for some of the employees. Still it is always open for negotiating.
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ReplyDeleteThis blog clearly explains how working from home has impacted our work-life balance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It talks about how different industries have been affected by the move to virtual platforms, with a focus on how IT companies and employees in Sri Lanka have adapted to this change. Also, the benefits of having a supportive workplace culture and access to resources can help us be more productive and feel better about our work. Overall, this Blog gives us some really useful insights into how working from home can help us find the right balance between work and life. Great work!
ReplyDeleteOne major impact is the increased flexibility virtual offices provide. Employees can create their own schedules, allowing them to attend to personal matters such as childcare, doctor appointments, or family obligations without sacrificing their work commitments. This flexibility promotes a better balance between work and personal life, reducing stress and improving overall well-being.
ReplyDeleteYes Dilhara, agree with the fact that work-life balance is not only the balance with the work and the personal lives, but the work life balance in a workplace is also a crucial fact that requires attention. The office should have a feeling of friendliness and a sense of wanting to work, otherwise employees will quit. I also highly agree with the point that when working from home is considered there is no balance at all especially when women work from home. I appreciate the facts you have discussed and why the balance should be there in order for an employee to function properly.
ReplyDeleteValuable content Dilhara. As correctly mentioned by you, yes there are positive & negative impacts on the lifestyle of employees with the introduction of virtual platforms in offices. As per the research conducted by N Sharon Hill at George Washington Uni (2023), it definitely impacts the employees' psychological well-being. Can be negative or positive. Eg. one employee can have a job satisfaction due to work from home, but another employee may have trouble disengaging, when WHF & as a result burnout & decrease in job satisfaction is evident.
ReplyDeleteA study done in England by Wheatley elaborates that the term "work-life balance" as a person’s capacity to properly juggle job and family duties, irrespective of age and gender. Although work-life balance is defined in many ways, in simple terms, it is about creating a balance between work and life. Another study on 26 software development and IT support teams in companies in different countries starting from Russia to USA, states that the Covid-19 factor drove IT organizations to enable fully remote mode in the spring of 2020. For team leads, project managers, and engineers, traditional communications, task management, and zones of responsibility have been drastically altered by lockdown, self-isolation, and new state regulations in the labor area with that, balancing the work and life domains had been quite challenging during the pandemic. In a study done in Bangalore, India by Kumari and Devi the term "work-life balance" highlights the differences between the demands of work relationships and home relationships. Another research carried out in the Karnataka state India defines work-life balance as a spectrum in which an individual alternate between both the two extremes of life and work at a point in time.
ReplyDeleteWheatley D., 2012. Work‐life balance, travel‐to‐work, and the dual career household. Personnel Review, [online] 41(6), pp.813–831.
Pashchenko D., 2021. Fully Remote Software Development Due to COVID Factor. International Journal of Software Science and Computational Intelligence, [online] 13(3), pp.64–70.
Kumari K. and Devi V., 2015. A Study on Work–Life Balance of Women Employees in Selected Service Sectors. Pacific Business Review International, [online] 7(10), pp.17–23.
Leslie L., King E. and Clair J., 2019. Work-Life Ideologies: The Contextual Basis and Consequences of Beliefs About Work and Life. Academy of Management Review, [online] 44(1), pp.72–98.
Exactly Dilara , we can identify both positive and negative impact in work from home set-ups. As you correctly said for most mothers who work from home , they face these challenges. Particularly, for parents having early childhood / preschool children, these children’s frame of mind is not equipped to understand parent’s work responsibilities. So how parents react on this early childhood children’s disturbance to their work may have a massive impact for their entire life. boundaries between work and family life can be challenging when both occur in the same physical space.
ReplyDeleteThe rise of virtual offices has had a profound impact on work-life balance for many employees. By eliminating the traditional constraints of physical office spaces and embracing remote work, companies have empowered their workforce to achieve greater harmony between their professional and personal lives.
ReplyDeleteWell impressed on your article. The virtual office has revolutionized work-life balance by providing flexibility and autonomy to employees. With the ability to work remotely, individuals can better manage their personal and professional responsibilities, leading to reduced stress and improved well-being.
ReplyDeleteThe impact of virtual offices on work-life balance has been significant, offering greater flexibility and autonomy for employees to manage their professional and personal lives more effectively.
ReplyDeleteThis insightful article offers a thorough exploration of the effects of virtual offices on work-life balance, particularly spotlighting the experiences of women in the workforce. Good job Dilhara! The research cited provides valuable insights into the challenges and advantages of remote work, underscoring the significance of supportive work environments and family roles. It's commendable how the article delves into these complex dynamics and prompts important discussions. A question that arises is: How can employers better support employees, especially women, in maintaining a healthy work-life balance in virtual office settings?
ReplyDeleteNice Article. With the freedom that virtual offices provide, workers can more effectively manage their personal and professional obligations. People can spend more time with their families, hobbies, and self-care when they don't have to commute as much and have remote access, which improves their general happiness and well-being.
ReplyDeleteGreater benefits are found in virtual working environment - "Work-life balance is greatly impacted by virtual offices since they provide employees more control over their schedules and surroundings. Workers can modify their work schedules to meet personal obligations, which lowers stress and burnout. This flexibility improves overall happiness and productivity by fostering a healthier blend of personal and work life." Nice article I wish in future this would be a reality
ReplyDeleteSuperb findings. Yes it is true that the post-COVID era has paved the way to the establishment of virtual offices. While some might see this as a positive trend as you have rightly pointed out, the said trend has been a matter of concern to the others. It is also evident that since the virtual offices give a far more controlled environment for the employee, the discussed work life balance is highly attainable through a well planned virtual work place.
ReplyDeleteThe impact of virtual offices on work-life balance is significant, offering employees the flexibility to better integrate professional responsibilities with personal commitments, ultimately promoting greater autonomy and well-being.
ReplyDeleteThe equilibrium that exists between job-related responsibilities and personal interests is known as work-life balance, and it enables people to successfully manage both without one taking preference over the other. In the modern workplace, work-life balance is essential because it enhances relationships, supports diversity and inclusion, encourages creativity and innovation, boosts productivity, and supports employee well-being. Positive, healthier, and more productive work environments are produced by organizations that place a high priority on work-life balance(Kaveetha Narayanan,2023).
ReplyDeleteThis article offers a compelling look at the impact of COVID-19 on work arrangements in Sri Lanka! The shift to WFH highlights both the opportunities (e.g., increased efficiency, e-commerce growth) and challenges (e.g., work-life balance for working mothers, digital literacy gaps).
ReplyDeleteIt particularly emphasizes the importance of supportive management practices and a "family-friendly" work environment for successful WFH implementation.
This is a valuable perspective considering the growing popularity of remote work models.
Timely important Topic. Everyone struggling to achieve a proper Work Life Balance. In this case, When it combines with a Virtual office, it brings both advantages and disadvantages. Objecting on Virtual office concept, the Employee enjoys his/her work Freedom starting work from Home. But, this practice creates unnecessary work stress, working in a single place without having a proper Employee relations as well as Social contacts. But, It's trending over as a good practice in terms of cost effect.
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