In Emily in Paris, Luc delivers a line: “You live to work; we work to live.” sparking a compelling conversation about work-life balance—a topic that’s as relevant today as ever.
When we think about work-life balance, we often picture a set of scales perfectly weighted on both sides. But the truth is, balance is a moving target.
But let’s be honest: work-life balance is more than just taking a two-hour lunch break or enjoying a few extra vacation days. It’s about how we see ourselves and our relationship with work and society.
The cultural lens of work-life balance
To truly grasp the complexities of work-life balance, we must dive into the fascinating tug-of-war between collectivism and individualism. These are two contrasting ideologies that influence how people interact with their work and home lives.
Collectivism focuses on the importance of group harmony, where the needs of the community are often considered more important than those of the individual. In a collectivist society, work and life are closely connected, and there is an unspoken duty to maintain unity within the group. However, this emphasis on group harmony can sometimes lead to conflict, as individual desires may be put aside in order to preserve group unity.
Take Japan as an example, a country where the concept of karoshi – “death from overwork” – originated. The term was coined to describe the extreme work pressures that people felt they couldn’t escape. Even the reluctance to take time off stems from a cultural drive to avoid disrupting the group’s flow.
In contrast, cultures that prioritise personal freedom, autonomy, and self-expression are considered individualistic. In these cultures, work-life balance involves setting personal boundaries and deciding how to divide time between work and personal pursuits. People in individualistic societies are more likely to take control of their schedules and prioritise their own needs and goals over societal expectations.
For instance, in France, which scores high on the Individualism-Collectivism Index, people are more likely to draw a line between their professional and personal lives. Here, there is a clearer division between work and life with a focus on personal achievement and individual merit. The workday ends when it ends, and personal time is just that—personal.
Navigating boundaries and priorities
For collectivist cultures, family obligations can take precedence, leading to what researchers call “family-to-work conflict,” where the demands of the family impact work commitments. However, this can also create a supportive network where the extended family pitches in, making work-life integration a communal effort.
In individualistic cultures, the tension often lies between professional ambitions and personal satisfaction. People with a strong sense of individualism might work longer hours, pursuing career success at the expense of personal time. Yet, they also have more control over how and when they engage with their work, allowing them to draw firmer boundaries when needed.
Ultimately, achieving work-life balance depends on how well individuals can manage these shifting priorities. And this is where the idea of “boundary control” comes in—a person’s ability to decide when to focus on work, when to focus on life, and when the two need to blend.
Things to keep in mind
For organisations, it’s not just about offering flexible hours or wellness programs; it’s about recognising the deeply ingrained cultural values that shape how employees view and manage their time.
Here is what you need to keep in mind if you are looking to strike the perfect balance between work life and personal life in your teams:
- How do cultural norms influence work-life expectations? Are employees more likely to prioritise group harmony, or do they have the freedom to set their own boundaries? Understanding these norms can help shape policies that accommodate diverse needs
- What kind of support systems exist, both inside and outside the workplace? In collectivist cultures, extended family and community play a significant role in helping individuals manage work-life balance. How can companies tap into or support these networks to ease work-related pressures?
- How much control do employees have over their boundaries? Are individuals empowered to make decisions about their time, or are they constrained by societal or organisational expectations? This exploration can help identify areas needing more flexibility or support.
In a world where the boundaries between personal and professional lives are increasingly blurred, it is important to understand how cultural beliefs and values shape our perspectives. The conflict between collectivism and individualism goes beyond academia; it significantly impacts our daily experiences and choices.