You need to enable JavaScript in order to use the AI chatbot tool powered by ChatBot

Work-life balance - a new religion?

Matthew Wilcox our consultant managing the role

Work-life balance is now so important, it seems some are treating it in almost religious terms.

The changing nature of work is often a hot topic, not least at times of economic upheaval or rapid technological change, both of which have been prominent features of life in recent years. This has been true in accountancy and banking, as elsewhere.

One of the key buzz phrases used in recruitment and in the workplace is "work-life balance". In the past, this might have been taken for granted: The balance was that most people - or men, anyway - would go to the office or factory in the morning, do a day's work and then go home to have their tea and spend time with their families. Then, at the weekend, they would have more time free.

However, the changing nature of work has made this nine-to-five model less typical. Partly this is due to us living in more of a 24-hour society, meaning an increasing number of people have to work unusual and 'unsociable' hours. In addition to this, the growth in the number of working mothers has brought a new meaning to the phrase work-life balance as they juggle families with careers.

Moreover, there has been a shift in attitudes, with work-to-live replacing live-to-work. This may be partly wrapped up in a shift away from jobs for life, meaning fewer people regard the job they do as a key element of their identity. But it is also based on a desire to see 'life' as a fun thing to be enjoyed that is distinct from 'work'.

This was highlighted by ICAEW blogger Michael Taylor, speaking about how this has affected the chartered accountancy issue. Writing on the organisation's website, he said many practice principals have noted this attitude is prevalent in under-30s, remarking that one of them said of this demographic: "Their priorities are fun, family and work in that order," while another said: "Work-life balance has become the new religion."

He suggested this group is the "LinkedIn generation", for whom side projects, rather than the need to pick up their kids from nursery, was the main reason for strict working to contracted hours.

Of course, describing work-life balance in terms of a 'religion' might prompt a range of reactions, not just according to one's own beliefs, but also when assessing just how important it is to individuals.

What matters most for an accountancy practice, of course, is whether this factor makes or breaks their efforts to recruit and retain staff. Company policies on maintaining work-life balance may need to be more appealing in light of this.

The Marks Sattin Salary Insight report into salaries and market trends in 2014 produced some notable facts that could help employers understand what their priorities should be.

Perhaps the most telling figures in work-life balance terms emerged from the list of most and least important benefits. Overall, 76 per cent said 25 or more days holiday was a benefit that attracted them to a role, ahead of financial incentives like company pensions or bonuses.

However, it is also notable that childcare arrangements or vouchers were the third least-regarded benefit. This suggests that of all the benefits that may be considered to enhance 'work-life balance', free time is the most important.

11/04/16
jobs

Related jobs

Management Accountant

Salary:

£60,000 - £70,000 per annum

Location:

Basingstoke, Hampshire

Industry

Real Estate

Qualification

Fully qualified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£70,000 - £80,000

Job Discipline

Qualified Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Management Accountant 60k - 70k Basingstoke

Reference

BBBH183397

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Ollie  Pizzey

Author

Ollie Pizzey
Find out more
Interim Management Accountant

Salary:

£225 - £250 per day

Location:

Bradford, West Yorkshire

Industry

Business Services

Qualification

Finalist / Newly qualified

Market

Financial Services

Salary

£250 - £350

Job Discipline

Newly Qualified Finance

Contract Type:

Contract

Description

Interim Management Accountant - Immediate Start (£225 - £250 per day)

Reference

BBBH183400

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Haroon Hussain Find out more
Accounts Assistant

Salary:

£30,000 - £38,000 per annum

Location:

Wetherby, West Yorkshire

Industry

Business Services

Qualification

None specified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£35,000 - £40,000

Job Discipline

Part Qualified & Transactional Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Accounts Assistant role in Wetherby

Reference

BBBH183399

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Cameron  Walsh

Author

Cameron Walsh
Find out more
Business Improvement Analyst

Salary:

£60,000 - £80,000 per annum

Location:

Bracknell Forest, Berkshire

Industry

Professional Services

Qualification

None specified

Market

Financial Services

Salary

£80,000 - £100,000

Job Discipline

Business Analysis

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

As a Business Process Improvement Analyst, you play a critical role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation's process.

Reference

BBBH183398

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Andrew Barnes

Author

Andrew Barnes
Find out more
Finance Assistant ( On-Site )

Salary:

£32,000 - £35,000 per annum + 12% bonus

Location:

Wokingham, Berkshire

Industry

Manufacturing

Qualification

Part qualified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£35,000 - £40,000

Job Discipline

Finance Change

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Finance Assistant, Wokingham, £32,000 - £35,000

Reference

BBBH183276

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Milly   Murray

Author

Milly Murray
Find out more
Technical Product Owner

Salary:

£60,000 - £70,000 per annum

Location:

City of London, London

Industry

Consumer & Retail

Qualification

None specified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£70,000 - £80,000

Job Discipline

Product

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

Technical Product Owner

Reference

BBBH183171

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Alex Simmons

Author

Alex Simmons
Find out more
Interim Assistant Accountant

Salary:

£28,000 - £33,000 per annum

Location:

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Industry

Professional Services

Qualification

None specified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£30,000 - £35,000

Job Discipline

Part Qualified & Transactional Finance

Contract Type:

Contract

Description

Marks Sattin are currently recruiting an interim Accounts Assistant/Assistant Accountant on behalf of a very well established SME service provider, based in North Leeds.

Reference

BBBH183395

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Yasmin Clough

Author

Yasmin Clough
Find out more
Head Of Operations Finance

Salary:

£70,000 - £90,000 per annum

Location:

Slough, Berkshire

Industry

Consumer & Retail

Qualification

Fully qualified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£80,000 - £100,000

Job Discipline

Qualified Finance

Contract Type:

Permanent

Description

We are working with an exciting client within the Consumer space who need someone to come in and support with leading financial planning and analysis in the FP&A and Supply Chain Finance team.

Reference

BBBH183396

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Ollie  Pizzey

Author

Ollie Pizzey
Find out more
Finance Assistant - London

Salary:

£32,000 - £35,000 per annum

Location:

London

Industry

Consumer & Retail

Qualification

Part qualified

Market

Commerce & Industry

Salary

£35,000 - £40,000

Job Discipline

Part Qualified & Transactional Finance

Contract Type:

Contract

Description

Seeking a Finance Assistant for a part-time position available on a 6-month contract within a consumer retail business based in Central London.

Reference

BBBH183394

Expiry Date

01/01/01

Jamie Smith

Author

Jamie Smith
Jamie Smith

Author

Jamie Smith
Find out more
View all jobs