Remember those early pandemic days when we promised ourselves we wouldn’t return to the stress-inducing schedules that dominated our pre-COVID lives?
As I travel the in and out of the UK meeting people working in varies industries and roles, I’m noticing something …That commitment is rapidly fading, and we need to talk about it.
The Pandemic’s Gift: A Better Work-Life Balance
The global shift to remote work in early 2020 brought unexpected gifts amid pandemic challenges. Before COVID-19, only about 5% of workers chose to work from home. During the pandemic, nearly half of employees in some countries worked remotely, with approximately 60% of employed adults working from home by 2022, up dramatically from just 20% before the outbreak.
This abrupt transition fundamentally altered how millions approached their daily work routines, creating a natural experiment in work-life integration that yielded surprising benefits for many.
How Remote Work Reshaped Our Daily Lives
The most immediate benefit for remote workers was the elimination of commuting time. On average, employees saved around 6 hours per week previously spent battling traffic or crowded public transportation. This newfound time became a valuable resource to redirect toward personal activities, family responsibilities, or simply enjoying a less rushed morning routine.
Many of us discovered that working from home allowed us to integrate our professional and personal lives better. The flexibility to step away from the computer to help children with schoolwork, prepare a healthy lunch, or take a midday walk provided a sense of control that was absent in traditional office settings. This flexibility was particularly valuable for parents, enabling them to be more present for their families while maintaining professional productivity.
Why We’re Struggling to Maintain the Balance
Despite widespread evidence supporting flexible work arrangements as practical tools for workplace stress reduction and burnout prevention, many organisations are reverting to old patterns. Traditional corporate expectations overshadow the pandemic lessons about prioritising mental health and family time.
Recent data shows this troubling trend: While 81% of remote-capable employees now have some degree of remote flexibility (55% working hybrid and 26% exclusively remote), a KPMG study of 1,300 CEOs revealed that 83% anticipate a full return to the office within the next three years, up from 64% the previous year.
The economic impact of these shifting workplace policies continues to profoundly shape company cultures and our collective well-being.
Strategies for Protecting Your Boundaries
As we navigate this transitional period, we need practical approaches to protect the work-life balance gains we’ve made:
1. Define Your Non-Negotiables
Identify the aspects of your pandemic routine that contributed most positively to your well-being. Was it morning exercise, family dinners, or eliminating the commute? Once identified, communicate these needs clearly to your employer as necessary components of your productivity and well-being.
2. Establish Clear Boundaries
Understanding your work style is crucial. Research shows that employees are evenly split between “splitters” (who prefer clear boundaries between work and personal time) and “blenders” (who prefer mixing work and personal time throughout the day). Neither style is superior, but you’re more engaged and productive when your preferred work style matches how you work.
Set specific working hours and communicate them to colleagues. Create physical or digital signals that indicate when you’re available or focusing on deep work. For remote days, establish a dedicated workspace that allows you to “leave” work at the end of the day.
3. Advocate for Flexible Policies
Join or form employee resource groups focused on workplace flexibility. Share research on productivity benefits of flexible arrangements with leadership. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, total factor productivity growth over the 2019-22 period is positively associated with the rise in remote workers across industries, even after accounting for pre-pandemic trends.
4. Prioritise Well-being Consistently
Schedule regular time for physical activity, social connections, and personal interests. Use technology intentionally, setting boundaries around email and messaging outside working hours. Practice self-compassion when boundaries slip, and view these moments as opportunities to reassess and adjust your approach.
Moving Forward Together
We stand at a critical crossroads. The pandemic forced us to reconsider our relationship with work, but those revelations are increasingly under threat. As organisations and individuals, we must actively preserve the positive aspects of our pandemic experience while creating healthier, more sustainable work environments.
By advocating for policies that support genuine work-life balance and protecting our own boundaries, we can create workplaces that value productivity and well-being. The pandemic’s lessons regarding the importance of flexibility, autonomy, and well-being are too valuable to abandon. Let’s ensure they remain part of our collective future.
What work-life balance lessons did you learn during the pandemic that you’re determined to maintain? Share your experiences in the comments below.
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