解説・定義 ワーク・ライフ・バランスとは、仕事と生活のバランスをとろうという呼びかけを通して、ジェンダーフリーを達成しようとする概念を指す。
[編集] 概要
内閣府から「ジェンダーフリー」の用語を使えなくされたことで、フェミニストが方針転換し、「ジェンダーフリー」の用語の代替として使用し始めた用語。男性の労働時間を減少させ、女性の就労機会を増やそうというバイアスは同じである。実際の内容は、ほぼジェンダーフリーと同じものであり、男女の「半分こイズム」が趣旨である。 Work-life balance is mixing your work life with your family life, so that neither is effected dramatically by the other. The expression “work-life balance” was first used in 1986 to help explain the unhealthy life choices that many people were making; they were choosing to neglect other important area of their lives such as family, friends, and hobbies in favor of work-related chores and goals. Over the past twenty-five years there has been a substantial increase in work which is felt to be due, in part, by information technology and by an intense, competitive work environment. Long-term loyalty and a “sense of corporate community” have been eroded by a performance culture that expects more and more from their employees yet offers little security in return. Many experts forecasted that technology would eliminate most household chores and provide people with much more time to enjoy leisure activities; unfortunately, many have decided to ignore this option being “egged on” by a consumerist culture and a political agenda that has “elevated the work ethic to unprecedented heights and thereby reinforced the low value and worth attached to parenting.” (Halpin) In her recent book, Willing Slaves-How the Overwork Culture is Ruling our Lives”, Madeleine Bunting stated that from 1977 to 1997 Americans working full time have increased their average working hours from 43.6 hours to 47.1 hours each week. (This does not include time required to travel to and from their places of business).(Halpin).
Many Americans are experiencing burnout due to overwork and increased stress. This condition is seen in nearly all occupations from blue collar workers to upper management. Over the past decade, a rise in workplace violence, an increase in levels of absenteeism as well as rising workers’ compensation claims are all evidence of an unhealthy work life balance. Employee assistance professionals say there are many causes for this situation ranging from personal ambition and the pressure of family obligations to the accelerating pace of technology.(Clark). According to a recent study for the Center for Work-Life Policy, 1.7 million people consider their jobs and their work hours excessive because of globalization. These difficult and exhausting conditions are having adverse effects. According to the Study Fifty percent of top corporate executives are leaving their current positions. Although sixty-four percent of workers feel that their work pressures are “self-inflicted”, they state that it is taking a toll on them. The study shows that, nationally, seventy percent, and globally, eighty-one percent, say their jobs are affecting their health. Between forty-six and fifty-nine percent of workers feel that stress is affecting their interpersonal and sexual relationships. Additionally, men feel that there is a certain stigma associated with saying “I can’t do this”. Unter Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf versteht man die Möglichkeit Erwachsener im arbeitsfähigen Alter, sich zugleich Beruf und Karriere einerseits und dem Leben in der Familie und der Betreuung von Kindern und pflegebedürftigen Personen andererseits zu widmen, unter Berücksichtigung der Schwierigkeiten, die dabei auftreten können.
Allgemeiner wird das Thema auch unter Vereinbarkeit von Berufs-, Privat- und Familienleben gefasst oder, englischsprachig und vor allem in Bezug auf betriebliche Aspekte wie etwa familienfreundliche Arbeitszeiten sowie auf Möglichkeiten zur Verbesserung des individuellen Gleichgewichts, als Work-Life-Balance.
Wurde die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf ursprünglich mehr als die Frage angesehen, ob sich Mutterschaft und Berufstätigkeit überhaupt vereinbaren lassen, entwickelte sich der gesellschaftliche Diskurs in den Industrienationen im Zuge der Emanzipation in die Richtung, wie sich für Mütter und Väter eine Berufstätigkeit mit der Erziehung der Kinder zeitlich vereinbaren lässt. |
