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Managing a healthy work-life balance in the tech industry can be challenging, and today’s working parents and parents-to-be have more on their plate than ever. With the pressures of a housing shortage, rising inflation, and the skyrocketing cost of childcare, balancing responsibilities at work and home can seem insurmountable for many tech employees. When work and life are out of sync, there can be major ramifications, ranging from burnout and lower productivity to physical illness and higher rates of attrition.
Tech companies can support their working parents by providing them with the resources they need to balance the demands of their home life with those in the office.
Here’s what tech employers need to know about improving work-life balance for working parents and parents-to-be:
What is work-life balance?
Work-life balance is the management of time spent working compared with the time spent doing things outside of work. Much of the conversation around work-life balance centers on how hard it is to achieve and puts the onus on the individual to correct the imbalance—when the truth is, some people just have too much work, too many responsibilities, or not enough support.
Work-life balance looks different for everyone depending on their role, job flexibility, commitments outside of work, and support network. It’s also subject to change. There may be times when work looms larger and other times when employees can focus more on what they enjoy outside of work. However, with remote and hybrid work as the new normal, your employees can feel constantly bound to their work—a Robert Half survey found that 70% of professionals who transitioned to remote work say they now work on the weekends.
Why tech is different
The tech industry often struggles when it comes to work-life balance. One report found that 42% of all tech employees feel high levels of burnout, with over half of this group reporting that they can’t relax once their workday is over.
Given the global nature of technology and the expectation for round-the-clock support, employees often find themselves tethered to their computer after traditional working hours. This blurred boundary between professional and personal life can make it incredibly difficult to switch off and focus on family or self-care.
Additionally, the competitive environment common in tech exacerbates the issue. The pressure to outperform, meet tight deadlines, and stay ahead in the innovation curve often leads to extended work hours and high stress levels. This can be particularly taxing for parents trying to juggle work responsibilities with family commitments, who may feel like they’re falling behind at work if they take time away to be with their families.
Making remote work work
Ensuring tech employees can have a healthy work-life balance is a key part of creating a positive work environment.
Remote work, for all its benefits, may contribute to the worsening work-life balance among tech employees. Research shows that remote workers are more likely to work longer hours and work nights and weekends—unable to disconnect fully from their jobs on their devices.
Poor work-life balance may also be contributing to trends in employment and attrition. A Great Places to Work report shows that burnout more than doubles the chance that employees will look for new job opportunities. And nearly half of employees who are at high risk for burnout report feeling less engaged in their work.
The challenges employees with families face
While many people struggle with the complexities of work-life balance, working parents and parents-to-be in tech face a unique set of difficulties. Working parents have to navigate their work schedules, the costs of childcare, financial anxiety, and a healthcare system that doesn’t adequately meet their reproductive health needs. These factors have serious consequences—nearly 60% of tech employees have left or considered leaving a job because of inadequate family benefits.
Because women bear more of the child care burden, their work-life balance has been disproportionately affected. This intensified second shift has led to acute attrition among working moms, with a 6.5% decline in working mothers in the labor force between 2020 and 2021.
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