A recent survey by Vertex Group has shed light on the pressing concern of ongoing work-life balance or burnout in today’s competitive workforce. As employees navigate the challenges of a post-pandemic world, the survey reveals that 52 per cent of employees experience burnout due to poor work-life balance.
The insights uncover what workers desire from their workspace, highlighting a growing demand for flexible working hours and a healthier balance between personal and professional duties. With burnout rates on the rise, organizations, especially in the IT sector, should focus on fostering a more supportive and productive work environment.
The survey gathered insights from over 1,500 working individuals across five states: Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh. It raises an important question: Is achieving work-life balance an optional luxury, or is it essential for overall well-being?
Gagan Arora, Founder of Vertex Group, says:
“Work-life balance is the need of the hour, especially in the IT sector. Organizations must adapt to employees’ expectations and refrain from overloading them with work on weekends. Weekends should be a time for individuals to rejuvenate and recharge for the upcoming week. Unless it is extremely urgent, employees should not be assigned work during this time.”
As competition increases, employees struggle to manage their work and personal lives, making it difficult to balance their professional responsibilities with their mental health.
The survey revealed that over 23 per cent of employees work beyond the regular working hours. The mental well-being of employees is crucial for the organization’s growth. The recent untimely passing of several business leaders and employees due to work-related stress highlights the urgent need to prioritize health in high-stress occupations.
The survey also uncovered a striking finding that over 20 per cent of employees are productive for merely 2.5 to 3.5 hours during an eight to nine hour shift. This indicates that extending work hours beyond what is necessary can significantly undermine employee productivity and creativity as the overall productivity falls after 8 hours.
As a result, this decline in efficiency affects individual performance or confidence and poses a risk to the overall growth and success of the organization. However, the demands of staying competitive globally push [RK1] [KC2] organizations to extend their work hours. On the other side, the employees believe that this is leading to a decrease in their productive hours.
Employees’ mental well-being has become a global concern. However, over 5 per cent of employees believe that work-life balance is a myth and one cannot separate professional duties from personal life.
Instead of strictly dividing time between professional and personal life, individuals should focus on finding a healthy equilibrium across all aspects of life. As technology enables constant access to work outside of official hours, the boundaries between work and personal life have blurred, making it challenging to maintain a strict “work-life balance.”
Gagan further stated:
“In this tech-oriented era, humans are turning into robots due to poor work-life balance and eventually lose their lives as the battery of their brains drains out. It is crucial to address this issue and harness technology to enhance skills and productivity instead of extending work hours beyond the office. I believe that a balanced approach [RK3] allows employees to work more efficiently and that maintaining a work-life balance can significantly boost their productivity.”
Vertex Group, headquartered in Times Square, is redefining inclusivity, diversity and employee well-being through various workshops, surveys, and feedback mechanisms. Recognized as a Best Place to Work, Vertex Group operates in seven countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, India, Philippines, Nepal, UAE, and Nigeria, employing over 800 individuals.
