2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
How management of family life could benefit workplace skills
The challenges of everyday family life can become laboratories wherein the skills of tomorrow are forged. (Envato Elements pic)
PARIS : For many, managing daily life can feel like a logistical feat. But, while long perceived as duties that lead to stress and exhaustion, family responsibilities could prove to be an unexpected asset in the professional sphere.
An international research team spent six weeks following 147 dual-income couples, all of whom were parents and full-time employees. Their aim was to understand how family organisation can influence work performance.
The findings are surprising: while juggling family life and professional obligations can feel like a daily struggle, those who develop coping strategies fare better than others. Scientists have dubbed this dynamic 'strategic renewal'.
It manifests itself in many ways in everyday family life: reorganising childcare arrangements, arranging living spaces to optimise teleworking, creating quiet areas dedicated to concentration, setting up shared schedules, or introducing screen-free times to strengthen family bonds, for example.
By regaining control over their domestic organisation, parents can develop confidence and strategic approaches that directly benefit their professional lives and make them more creative in the face of change.
'These kinds of deliberate, future-oriented adjustments enable families to respond flexibly to changing demands,' study co-author Siqi Wang explained. 'They build confidence, reduce stress, and enhance overall functioning at home and at work.'
These findings take on particular resonance given the current trend for hybrid working. 'As hybrid and flexible work models become the norm, the boundaries between home and work continue to blur,' said co-author Yasin Rofcanin. 'It's important that employers recognise how home dynamics influence workplace performance.'
Published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, this study suggests that companies can amplify these benefits by rethinking their managerial approaches.
The researchers recommend investing in programmes that include training on work-family dynamics and flexible work arrangements. Wellness programmes, counselling services, and assistance with family caregiving can also play a key role.
All of this has the potential to shake up traditional perceptions of work-life balance. Rather than viewing these two worlds as opposing forces, this approach reveals their potential for synergy.
As a result, the challenges of everyday family life can become laboratories wherein the skills of tomorrow are forged. For working parents, this offers a new perspective: their efforts to organise their home life are not a waste of time, but rather an investment in their professional development.
