Perceived work‐life balance: Exploring the experiences of professional Moroccan women

Abstract

AbstractThe present study aims to understand how professional Moroccan women working in various sectors perceive their current work‐life balance (WLB). While gender equity and women's empowerment have been rising in the past few years in Morocco, there may still be challenges faced to accomplish their career and family roles. An exploratory approach to the study has been employed in order to unveil the various barriers hindering women's WLB within the Moroccan organizational context. Using structured interviews, participants were given an opportunity to review what they believe is important in achieving a good WLB. A total of 45 women participants have voluntarily engaged in an interview that lasted between 30 and 45 min. Findings from this investigation revealed that the overwhelming women's family responsibilities and the requirements of their professional obligations lead to a disproportionate burden on them, resulting in difficulty to manage both roles successfully therefore causing an imbalanced work‐life. The study offers valuable insights on how women view their current WLB and reflects on possible mechanisms to improve it. Understanding women's perceptions of their own WLB can facilitate the identification of strategies and policies geared toward the retention of women in the workforce, and Moroccan organizations can develop and implement HRD strategies and policies that are geared toward creating a workplace that is more supportive of women's professional and personal goals.