2nd December 2020
Author: Paulina Janulyte
A population survey has shown that a significant part of residents in Lithuania are not able to achieve a proper work and life balance. It has become clear that one of the biggest issues, especially concerning women, is the conflict between family and work engagements, when the latter impedes time spent with children. Moreover, roughly one-fifth of respondents cannot take good care of their health, enjoy nature, and spend quality time with their spouses, partners or other close ones.
Residents are divided: not everyone can maintain a good work-life balance
Approximately half of all respondents (49 %) stated that they are in fact able to reconcile work and life: 13 % were glad to maintain a great balance, while the other 36 % mentioned being content with their current situation, even when facing challenges. Every fourth respondent evaluated their work and life balance as average and, lastly, 14 % expressed disappointment with their working hours. It has been also revealed that among the latter group, which experiences a poor work and life balance, there are 5 % more women than men.
When respondents were asked which specific means would help them achieve a better balance, 6 out of 10 mentioned a more flexible working schedule. About 40 % also highlighted a more favourable and understanding employer’s (or colleagues’) attitude, an opportunity to take days off according to one’s needs, and more accessible childcare services (for example, kindergartens). It should be noted that women more often than men pointed out a specific measure for a better reconciliation: there is a gap of 1 to 8 % between the sexes. Moreover, twice more men than women stated that they do not exactly know, which measures in this case would be the best.
While women mostly lack time with their children, men need more travelling
The research has shown that men and women’s personal needs, impeded by long working hours and overtime, are different. More than one-fifth of all surveyed women (22 %) experience a shortage of free time while raising children and engaging in their upbringing. Approximately the same number of women (respectively 21 % and 20 %) mentioned not being able to take proper care of their health and travel, enjoy nature.
The survey results have revealed that due to long working hours men mostly lack free time to travel and enjoy nature – this option was selected by 21 % of male respondents. Slightly less (16 %) said that they cannot take good care of their health and spend quality time with their partners and other close ones. The need to raise children and engage in their upbringing was mentioned by 15 % of men – this is 7 % less than women.
It is also important to note that twice more women than men (respectively 10 % and 5 %) expressed disappointment with long working hours and overtime interfering with their care responsibilities for sick, elderly or disabled family members. Therefore, a big difference between the sexes is perceived when talking about caring for family members and relatives – it seems that women still perform this duty significantly more often than men.
Taking care of family members revealed to be the biggest incentive to reconciliate work and life
The above-mentioned conclusions have also been affirmed by the responses to a question about the relevance of work-life balance. One-third of all respondents (32 %) mentioned that reconciliation for them is important because they have or are planning to have children. However, it should be highlighted that there were 10 % more women than men, who have chosen this option. In addition, significantly more women than men (respectively 13 % and 5 %) are currently taking care of sick, elderly or disabled family members.
Maintaining a work-life balance for men is important, because more than a fifth of them (22 %) take up sports or arts. Among women this response was not as popular – it has been selected by 1 out of 10 female respondents. It is also worth noting that a surprising number of men (41 %) claimed not being interested in reconciliation – this is 11 % more than women.
Nevertheless, the gap between men and women, who want to maintain a good work and life balance due to such reasons, as frequent travelling, chronic diseases or other health-related issues, volunteer work or engagement in community activities, and studies, is not as significant and ranges from 1 to 3 %.
This article is part of the project “Everybody’s Talking: Work-Life Balance Goes Mainstream”, funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020) and the Lithuanian government. The content of this article represents the views of the author only and is his/her/their sole responsibility. The European Commission does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.