Delve into the Meaning of Work-Life Balance in Indonesian Youth
Work-life balance, or WLB, has become a priority to achieve for individuals across all age groups. This made the Minister of State Owned Enterprise (Menteri BUMN), Erick Tohir, make a policy for all the employees of BUMN to get a 3-day vacation period in a week.
This policy was made because of the relationship between employee stress and their performance at work. By understanding how Indonesian youth perceive work-life balance and its relation to their behavior, companies or policymakers can find a way to deal with it.
Understanding Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance refers to the balance between professional responsibilities and personal life activities. This concept evolved through time and was affected by societal norms, economic structure, and technological advancement.
The modern work-life balance movement gained momentum in the latter half of the 20th century, especially in Western countries, as the labor law evolved, which made social attitudes toward work and leisure activities shift.
This is mainly because the rise of labor unions advocating for shorter workweeks increased awareness of the importance of leisure time for mental and physical health, which promoted discussions about balancing work and family responsibilities.
This movement gained further development with the help of globalization and the digital revolution, which introduced flexible working arrangements such as telecommuting and remote work.
In Indonesia, the concept of work-life balance has also gained attention in recent years, mirroring global trends. As the country undergoes rapid economic development and urbanization, issues related to long working hours, commute times, and work-related stress have become more prominent.