Why Work-Life Balance Is Hard for Filipino Parents Today
Work-life balance is becoming one of the biggest parenting challenges today
In case you don’t know, the Global Life-Work Balance Index conducted by human resource platform Remote was released. The report showed the Philippines had one of the worst work-life balance, ranking 59th among 60 countries in the top list. The Philippines got a score of 27.46 out of 100.
New Zealand topped the survey with 80.76 followed by Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, and Canada. The study looked into different factors to determine the work-life balance.
Work-Life Balance in the Philippines Is Becoming a Growing Challenge for Parents
Since the world went through a pandemic four years ago, work-life balance has changed for many, including parents who used to be out the whole day to work. With companies allowing people to work at home, it has disrupted the work and family grind. While it has advantages, especially for working moms, it has also given challenges in balancing work and their home life.
5 Practical Ways Parents Can Improve Work-Life Balance
1. Communicate Your Work Schedule Clearly With Your Family
If you are attending a meeting for the day and you’re expected to babysit your nephew, inform your family immediately. That way, arrangements can be made as to who can be with kids while you are out.
2. Use Your Vacation Leave to Rest and Recharge
Short vacations are a must to recharge and rest. File that vacation leave. Whether it be 15 days or more, make use of it! It’s your prerogative after all. And when you come back, you’re ready to face the task ahead of you.
3. Learn to Say No When Your Workload Becomes Too Heavy
You can only take so much work. If you have to decline responsibilities, be honest and say no. You need to rest too and as some people would say, listen to your body if it needs some time off from all the work.
4. Make Time for Friends and Social Connections
Although work is important, being with good friends is also important. Plan that Friday night out with some friends whether it be a simple dinner, having drinks, or KTV night, allow yourself to unwind even for a few hours.
5. Prioritize Alone Time for Rest and Mental Reset
It’s easier than done but having a me time is a must. Detach yourself from work for at least a few days. File a vacation leave (see tip 2 above). Time alone is crucial because it helps you find your purpose why you’re doing what you are doing.
The Business of Fashion founder Imran Ahmed was recently in the Philippines for a Vogue talk to share about his venture. One of the things he did in his life was to find himself through a retreat he did for a few days, something he admitted was a challenge. But that time alone inspired him to do what he does.
The Reality of Work-Life Balance for Filipino Families
While it’s easy to give tips on work-life balance, there’s a reality check. Not everyone can afford to rest because they have to work hard for their families. Prices of basic commodities continue to rise while wages remain the same. The term tightening the belt has been overused so much that sometimes proper food for a family is not enough.
To some, the Remote survey is just a survey. But it’s a data people should look into because work-life balance affects an employee and it affects their families as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the study conducted by human resource platform Remote, the Philippines ranked 59th out of 60 countries worldwide. Scoring a low 27.46 out of 100, the report officially highlights the nation as having one of the worst work-life balances globally.
While remote setups offer flexible advantages, shifting to home-based offices has significantly disrupted traditional work and family boundaries. Parents frequently struggle to balance professional tasks with home responsibilities simultaneously, leading to increased pressure while navigating childcare and career demands in the same physical space.
Working parents can manage their workload by clearly communicating their daily meeting schedules to family members for coordinated childcare. Additionally, parents should actively file their allocated vacation leaves to fully recharge and practice declining extra work responsibilities when their bodies need rest.
Allocating time alone allows parents to mentally detach from corporate stress, find clarity, and rediscover their personal purpose outside of their domestic and professional roles. Similarly, organizing regular catch-ups with friends provides a crucial emotional outlet to unwind, decompress, and maintain a supportive social network.
Achieving an optimal life-work balance remains a luxury because many parents must work around the clock just to financially support their households. As inflation drives up the prices of basic commodities while local wages remain stagnant, many families are forced to prioritize basic economic survival over personal rest.
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