Work-life balance: myth or reality?
Published: 05:06 PM,Jun 15,2025 | EDITED : 09:06 PM,Jun 15,2025
The dynamic business landscape, emerging work patterns, job insecurity, the pressure of automation, the threat of artificial intelligence, and workplace competitiveness have blurred the lines between work and life for millions of professionals globally. While 60% of employees worldwide report having a healthy work-life balance, burnout remains widespread, with 82% of workers at risk and rates continuing to rise.
Many professionals scorn, ridicule, and perceive the work-life balance as non-existent. There are two opposing schools of thought on this global dilemma of the workplace cauldron. One perspective stems from the belief that work-life balance is an unattainable myth. It states that work and life are deeply intertwined, exacerbated by the flux of work patterns and artificial intelligence.
The second perspective is that work-life imbalance is a reality, and it can be resolved with leader interventions, policy shifts, and attitudinal transformations. Work-life balance is at the core of the sustainable future of work and organizational productivity.
While burnout is a global phenomenon prevalent across all sectors, the healthcare, technology/IT, finance, and education sectors are at higher risk due to demand for long hours, high emotional calls, and chronic understaffing, which are some burnout drivers. In most European countries, work weeks are shorter, vacation policies are more generous, and there is a stronger emphasis on leisure and family time.
Many of these countries are ranked higher for their work-life balance. Many European countries have also enacted legislative rules and laws granting employees the right to disconnect from work outside official working hours. France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Iceland, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, and Slovakia have laws that protect employees' mental health and promote a culture of work-life balance. In the Middle East, the burnout rate is lower at 43%.
In contrast, Asian countries like India, China, Japan, and South Korea often prioritize long working hours and dedication to work. India reports 62% burnout, which is 3 times the global average. China stands at 58% with a '996 culture' from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week.
Recently, a leading Indian IT business leader, Narayan Murthy, has been criticized and shunned by the public and media for their outrageous suggestion that a 70-hour working week is necessary for Indian global competitiveness.
Leaders also released similar comments from other industries, like L&T leader SN Subramanyam, who suggested employees work 90 hours per week, which sparked outrage and criticism from professionals and leaders across all walks of life. These are signs of burnout, mental health risks, and productivity decline. Japan was traditionally known for a culture of workaholism. Traditionally, Japan was known for this approach of 'live to work' national culture and 'Karoshi,' which means death by work.
However, Japan has embraced the 'work to live' culture since a decade and is making significant policy and national behavior changes to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This cultural shift in Japan is driven by younger generations who prioritize life over work. Australia and New Zealand were traditionally recognized for work-life balance due to their job climate, security, annual leave, and focus on well-being.
However, recent assessments indicate that both countries face deteriorating work-life balance and increasingly toxic work environments. Intriguingly, the US also struggles with work-life balance: 66% report officially having difficulty, and 77% of the working population experience burnout. Similarly,79% to 92% of UK workers have experienced burnout at some point in their careers.
Work-life balance is complex, evolving, and intensely influenced by nations, technology, and individual perceptions. Whether the readers believe it is a myth or a reality, the world needs to move toward a balanced work-life synchronization for the sustainability and well-being of humankind.
Many professionals scorn, ridicule, and perceive the work-life balance as non-existent. There are two opposing schools of thought on this global dilemma of the workplace cauldron. One perspective stems from the belief that work-life balance is an unattainable myth. It states that work and life are deeply intertwined, exacerbated by the flux of work patterns and artificial intelligence.
The second perspective is that work-life imbalance is a reality, and it can be resolved with leader interventions, policy shifts, and attitudinal transformations. Work-life balance is at the core of the sustainable future of work and organizational productivity.
While burnout is a global phenomenon prevalent across all sectors, the healthcare, technology/IT, finance, and education sectors are at higher risk due to demand for long hours, high emotional calls, and chronic understaffing, which are some burnout drivers. In most European countries, work weeks are shorter, vacation policies are more generous, and there is a stronger emphasis on leisure and family time.
Many of these countries are ranked higher for their work-life balance. Many European countries have also enacted legislative rules and laws granting employees the right to disconnect from work outside official working hours. France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Iceland, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, and Slovakia have laws that protect employees' mental health and promote a culture of work-life balance. In the Middle East, the burnout rate is lower at 43%.
In contrast, Asian countries like India, China, Japan, and South Korea often prioritize long working hours and dedication to work. India reports 62% burnout, which is 3 times the global average. China stands at 58% with a '996 culture' from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week.
Recently, a leading Indian IT business leader, Narayan Murthy, has been criticized and shunned by the public and media for their outrageous suggestion that a 70-hour working week is necessary for Indian global competitiveness.
Leaders also released similar comments from other industries, like L&T leader SN Subramanyam, who suggested employees work 90 hours per week, which sparked outrage and criticism from professionals and leaders across all walks of life. These are signs of burnout, mental health risks, and productivity decline. Japan was traditionally known for a culture of workaholism. Traditionally, Japan was known for this approach of 'live to work' national culture and 'Karoshi,' which means death by work.
However, Japan has embraced the 'work to live' culture since a decade and is making significant policy and national behavior changes to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This cultural shift in Japan is driven by younger generations who prioritize life over work. Australia and New Zealand were traditionally recognized for work-life balance due to their job climate, security, annual leave, and focus on well-being.
However, recent assessments indicate that both countries face deteriorating work-life balance and increasingly toxic work environments. Intriguingly, the US also struggles with work-life balance: 66% report officially having difficulty, and 77% of the working population experience burnout. Similarly,79% to 92% of UK workers have experienced burnout at some point in their careers.
Work-life balance is complex, evolving, and intensely influenced by nations, technology, and individual perceptions. Whether the readers believe it is a myth or a reality, the world needs to move toward a balanced work-life synchronization for the sustainability and well-being of humankind.