Job hours are no longer limited to office hours. Most professionals are now forced to carry their work with them round the clock. An email, a text message or a phone call puts professionals back on the job even if they are home after putting in 10 hours at the workplace.
Such heavy demand on time and commitment has its pitfalls. More professionals are losing their sense of work-life balance often tipping hopelessly in favour of their work. As a result, their personal relationships, between family and friends suffer.
Corporate counselling aims at reducing the stress levels of employees and help them choose a better lifestyle by making healthier choices.
Being on the job round the clock does not mean that a professional is more productive. It is usually the result of being tied to the desk virtually, even when you are not physically present. With careful planning and a corporate culture where such engagement is discouraged, employees and professionals can quit working 24×7. It is the job of the corporate psychological counsellor to make that happen.
Employees are carrying smartphones to respond to job demands at odd hours not just because they are compelled. Many of these employees feel that unless they do so, they will be replaced by other professionals who are willing to be virtually tied to their desks throughout the clock. A corporate psychological counsellor will try to dispel such thoughts by ensuring that the work culture is not supportive of employees who carry work home.
The corporate counselling professional will act as a liaison between the employees and the management to ensure that the work-life balance is not disturbed. At a macro level, this is important before the counsellor shifts focus on individuals and the choices they make to be on the job round the clock. Individual reasons vary, and so each one needs a different solution. They need a plan as well.
Time management plays a crucial role in this. Professionals need to segregate their time between office and home without upsetting the rhythm at either place. Counsellors can advise the professional to talk to family members about the demands of the job and why they need to answer emails while they are at a family dinner. When near and dear ones understand the demands of your profession, the mental stress to validate your actions go down considerably. Similarly, superiors at work have to realize that family time is sacrosanct and should not be disturbed unless absolutely necessary.
Professional corporate counselling can help strike the right work-life balance.