How companies can help women strike a work-life balance: Opinion

Work-life balance for women refers to the equilibrium between their professional responsibilities and personal lives. It entails managing work commitments while having time and energy for personal pursuits, family, and self-care.

In an op-ed, NTU NBS Asst Prof Chong Sinhui discusses work-life “balance” for women, although the term work-life balance means different things to different people and changes across time.

Achieving a healthy work-life balance allows women to thrive both in their careers and personal lives, ensuring their overall well-being and happiness. This balance is essential as women often face unique challenges and responsibilities, such as caregiving and household duties, in addition to their careers. Finding the right balance empowers women to pursue their ambitions, maintain their health, and nurture their relationships, ultimately leading to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

“Work-life balance has very real workplace and non-work benefits for employees and companies. My own research that sampled more than 250 full-time employees in the US demonstrated the benefits of mentally disconnecting from work during off-work hours,” she wrote, elaborating on how workplaces are helping with burn-out.

She also touched on how NTU, for example, has an initiative, Women@NTU, which supports female employees’ professional and personal endeavours through mentorship and various developmental workshops.