Work-life integration seeks to bring work and life closer together. The primary difference between work-life integration and work-life balance lies in how they achieve that equilibrium.
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work-life balance: What's the difference?īoth work-life integration and work-life balance are valid means of achieving an equilibrium between personal and professional responsibilities. Kaitlin Milliken, multimedia editor, Innovation Leader Work-life integration vs. Someone may need to spend more time at the office leading up to a big launch, or they may need to prioritize home responsibilities to take care of a newborn. Additionally, work-life balance may look different from day to day. For example, employees may be tempted to check their work email or answer a text from a colleague after they’ve “logged out” of their home office.
However, in today’s remote work world, it can be difficult to maintain work-life boundaries in practice. In contrast to work-life integration, the boundaries between work and personal life are more clearly defined with designated “work hours.” In work-life balance, a person equally prioritizes the demands of their career and their life outside of it. “Make sure employers understand and respect them, and that their integration is a healthy one that improves their work-life.” What is work-life balance? “While work life integration is a powerful shift for organizations, it’s also important for all employees to know what boundaries they need to set,” Kohler told CO. When work-life integration is out of balance, employees may actually experience decreased satisfaction and productivity in both areas. On the flip side, studies have shown that boundary violations - when work and personal life seep into each other - can also have negative consequences. When employees are able to properly coordinate their schedules and responsibilities, they are more likely to experience satisfaction in all areas of their life. The largest advantage of work-life integration is flexibility. This might look like completing household chores while on a conference call or bringing children into the office when schools are closed. Rather than viewing work and personal time as separate entities, busy professionals can find areas of compromise. Work-life integration involves blending both personal and professional responsibilities. “Work-life balance is focused on keeping your work life and your personal life separate, but equal, whereas work-life integration is centered on the belief that there is no distinction between the two and that both must coexist in harmony.” “There is a difference between work-life balance and work-life integration, and it is one that many people are struggling with as we look to come out of our pandemic work situations,” said Stephen Kohler, CEO and founder of Audira Labs. Some professionals strive to reach work-life balance, while others aim to achieve work-life integration - and though similar, the two terms are distinct. However, this might look different for each person. When it comes to time spent on professional responsibilities versus time spent on personal ones, it’s crucial to find a level of equilibrium. Both work-life integration and work-life balance are valid means of achieving an equilibrium between personal and professional responsibilities.
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