Work-Life Balance in the 24-7 Workplace of Laptops, Blackberries and Mobile Phones - Part 1

We are all familiar with the old adage: "No one on their deathbed wishes they had spent more time at the office." Yet in these fast-moving times of change and complexity that is exactly what we do - spend more time at the office as our workday knows no boundaries.

When we do leave the office then, what happens? We take with us our laptops, networked with our office computer, of course, our mobile phones so we can be accessible to everyone 24/7, or better still our blackberries so we can access our emails all night long and every minute of the week-end.

A study of work/life balance that was done by the Centre for Work/Life Policy in New York discovered a phenomenon that it called "4 in a bed relationships" - 2 people and 2 blackberries. People are using their blackberries all night long. They cannot switch off. This is addictive behaviour.

We do so many important things now with the mobile phone or blackberry in our hand - drive the car, watch our son's basketball match, or interrupt a meal in a restaurant.

The repercussions for our lives are damaged and broken relationships with our partners, children, extended family and friends; stress and severe risks to our health and well-being. As well, we too often live compromised lives as we feel pressured to give up what is most important to us, in favour of what our work demands of us.

• Why do we do it - better business outcomes and career development?
• Are we really more productive in this high-powered 24/7 workplace?
• 23 million days of job leave in Australia are currently stockpiled because employees cannot take time to relax and recharge.
• 20% of Australians are working 50 hours or more a week.
• 30% people routinely work on week-ends.
• 2 million Australians lose at least 6 hours of family time through Sunday work.

Yet, in an independent national survey of Australian workers, commissioned by The Institute of Chartered Accountants, 99% of Australians ranked work/life balance and job satisfaction as the greatest priorities when reviewing career opportunities.

So, is work/life balance mission impossible? Or is it a commitment we have to fight to make a reality?