Debunking misconceptions about work-life

Growing up, what did you ever wonder what an office environment would look like? What would your work or career experience be? 

The term ‘work-life’ is a broad one and itself has grown and changed to mean so many different things over the years. The imagination and expectations of a career or work life are defined by demands of the time, individual needs and evolving perceptions of a career.

Work-life misconceptions often arise from various factors both within workplace dynamics and broader societal influences. They also develop when our imaginations do not meet evolving needs or trends. 

Here are some researched reasons that contribute to work-life misconceptions:

Limited exposure and personal experience: Individuals' perceptions of work life are often shaped by one’s own experiences or anecdotes from close people. These anecdotes may not represent the diversity of experiences within different workplaces or industries, leading to generalized misconceptions.

Media portrayals and social comparisons often glamorise or exaggerate certain aspects of work life and can create unrealistic expectations or stereotypes. Comparing your work experiences with those of others can also lead to apprehensions about what is normal or acceptable in a workplace.

Economic and job market conditions: External economic factors like job market trends or industry-specific challenges impact requirements and shape perceptions of work life, like accommodating flexible work options or having virtual meetings - which were not as common a few years ago.

Leadership and management practices: As trends shift and employees voice out requirements, leaders and HR need to keep up with the research and make sure to create and adapt policies to suit them. The behaviour and decisions of leaders and managers within an organization can create dissonance for employees who may feel torn between managerial actions, organizational values and other workplace cultures. 

Let’s look at some popular office myths!

The enigma of email etiquette

Emailing is becoming less of a common form of communication but remains elusive to many. The Reply-All versus Reply option is an often-seen mistake, but a common misconception is also that an email must be written well. An email must be clear and direct, and ideally without punctuation and grammar mistakes - but it does not require the use of a thesaurus!

“This meeting could have been an email!”

It's a common joke more popular post the COVID-19 pandemic, that many meetings are unnecessary and could be sent as written information. What this rather reflects on is that meetings need to be more well-designed with a clear agenda and takeaway to make them effective. Having emails especially that Integrate discussions/interactions and brainstorming also highlights why this meeting could not have been an email!

Productivity is affected only by the workplace 

Have you seen the roads at 6 PM, or taken public transport at 8 AM? Research shows that employees' experiences outside of work also impact how they feel about showing up to work or staying for longer hours. A company must focus on employee welfare within the workplace but also from the moment they leave home.

Coffee breaks are to make coffee 

Breaks, whether for coffee are water, are quick refueling stops. But they also serve as valuable social breaks to connect with colleagues, recharge mentally and get some movement into the day. These breaks make the biggest distinction between a workplace setting and a virtual office!

Creativity must strike during work hours

Problem-solving and innovation can happen at any time and sometimes require taking a break from the task or shifting gears to something else. Employees may have their best ideas outside of traditional work hours or in relaxed settings. Encouraging flexibility and allowing creative exploration can lead to more innovative solutions. Like lightning, sometimes we never know when creativity might strike us!

“It’s all about the money, money, money!” 

A study by the OC Tanner Institute shows that 37% of respondents said they wanted recognition, while only 7% said they wanted more money. 61% of Indian employees stated they were willing to take a pay cut or forego a pay rise if they could achieve a better work-life balance, according to a Talent Trends 2022 India report from Michael Page. 44% of jobseekers also stated that they were looking for employers who could provide enhanced learning and development opportunities.

More work = more productivity 

Overtime is almost an expected norm in India, especially among new hires. About 65% of jobseekers only prefer to work overtime to meet project deadlines, and then also expect clear monetary benefits, including compensation per hour. It’s also necessary to recognise that this might be the expectation in some fields, especially in peak seasons - but if this is not discussed beforehand, employees might see a lesser incentive to stay on the job. Work-life balance is not just an ideal concept anymore, like achieving nirvana, but rather a significant expectation of any organization! This is evident from Narayana Murthy’s recent comment about a 70-hour work week, and how millennials and Gen-Z took to it with vigour. 

What impact do workplace myths have?

The majority of these misconceptions can lead to tension and conflict in the office, potentially damaging productivity and relationships between management and coworkers, or even coworkers themselves. Without a clear understanding of workplace experiences, leaders risk falling into the pitfall of expecting the workplace experience to create the company culture, though it is the opposite. A great workplace experience stems from the company’s culture, which is based on individual growth, mutual respect and support. 

Addressing these misconceptions requires a shift in mindset for management, as it involves doing research, keeping up with shifting trends, and understanding what are the struggles and needs of your employees. It is also rooted in the ethos of the organisation itself. The belief that the workplace must care for its workers itself is a shift from traditional organisational expectations worldwide! 

FAQs

What are some shifts in trends of workplace culture today? 

Companies investing in mental health services, setting up flexible work options, creating comfortable office spaces with sleep pods or baby care rooms and giving Do Not Disturb Days are some important shifts towards worker welfare that we see in the workplace today.

How can companies work towards minimising work-life misconceptions? 

Speak to employees in small groups, conduct wellness surveys, offer incentives and fair monetary compensation and create and communicate policies effectively. You can also work with organizations like Manah that help you stay on top of the wellbeing trends and patterns among your employees.