Perceptions of women academics regarding work–life balance

Abstract

Work–life balance in the context of this paper means keeping a balance between home and workplace responsibilities and roles. In more traditional societies, such as in Pakistan, working women often find it difficult to keep a balance between their responsibilities in the workplace and their home responsibilities. This paper is based on findings from a qualitative research study that explored the perceptions of working women regarding their home–work responsibilities and how these impact their lives. Data were collected from 10 female academics working in a university in the north of Pakistan, using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings reveal that most women academics find it challenging to keep a balance between their home and workplace responsibilities. Participants faced a range of problems both at home and in the workplace that impacted their life in both places. These problems included lack of support and facilities at home and in the workplace. These problems, however, did not seem to deter them from carrying on with their work–home responsibilities. Some of the strategies the participants adopted to keep this balance included separating and scheduling home–work time, securing support of the family and utilising time in the workplace more productively. The downside of this, however, seemed to be that these women academics found little time for themselves as leisure time or time entirely devoted to their own mental and physical wellbeing. The research has important implications for working women, their employers, families and policy makers in Pakistan and other societies with similar contexts.