Strategies for Coping with Work-Life Conflict

Jibini V Kurien Research Scholar (PT), Bharathiar School of Management, Bharathiar University,Coimbatore. e-mail- mail.jibini@gmail.com Dr. V. Kubendran. Professor, Bharathiar School of Management Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. vkubendran_mdu@rediffmail.com

Abstract

In todays competitive world the role of work has changed and the pressure is overwhelming. Workers are at the race at the cost of neglecting their family, friends, social existence and our value system. This is leading to imbalance in our life which is causing frustration, confusion, manipulation, insincerity and unhappy state. The outcome of this is obvious, suicides, broken marriages, spoilt children, heart attacks, diseased body and diseased mind. The different expectations from roles in both work and family life can create conflict, leading to reduced participation, satisfaction and performance in either or both of these domains. There are four types of work-life conflict; Role overload, work interferes with family, family interferes with work, caregiver strain. Causes of work life conflict are work demands, organizational culture and demands at home. Work family conflict leads to various consequences which affect both organizational level and individual level. To cope work life conflict, strategies must be formulated by employers. Today, work and family issues are more firmly on the workplace agenda. Organizations are developing family-friendly workplaces to accommodate the needs of men and women. Successful implementation of the Work-Life Balance strategies can lead to a healthy synergy in the working environment of an organization and its employees.

Keywords: Work life conflict, Role overload, caregiver strain, work life balance strategies.