Work life balance – An Emerging Human Resource Management issue in Sri Lanka
The cost of living in today’s economic environment is quite high, which makes employees work harder, juggle multiple employment roles, and even work extra hours (Aroosiya, 2023). With the rising labor shortage in Sri Lanka, along with the organization’s demands, the employees are forced to work overtime. Even after coming back from work, they cannot escape from thinking about their job responsibilities, and there are those who make plans for tomorrow’s work schedule. Similarly, for me too, I keep making plans for tomorrow’s work schedule upon reaching home.
In today’s context, this problem is prevalent across all industries, particularly within the clothing, tourism, and manufacturing industries. Within our parent organization, we have two hotels and because of labor shortage at present, some of the workers work overtime and even skip their days off. Shortage of qualified labor force is another problem. I noticed that within many departments, only a handful of employees are skillful relative to other workers. Consequently, the burden of work has been increased for them since the job has to be done (Tennakoon and Senarathne, 2020).
Bad work life balance does not only affect an individual's private life, it also greatly affects the organization. A stressed and tired employee is dissatisfied with their job, resulting in physical and psychological problems that adversely affect their health (Arunashantha, 2019). The employee will suddenly get sick, quit the job, or commit major mistakes since they cannot cope with the stress.
On the organizational level, employers can implement employee wellness programs and mental health programs (Rajkumar et al., 2025). The leadership should handle employees with respect, adopt a positive attitude toward them, and inspire them. Organizations should also engage in training and development programs, which may reduce excessive workload. Management should also take into account the circumstances of employees when granting leaves and assigning tasks.
Conclusion
Work life balance has become one of the emerging challenges in Sri Lanka and affects both workers and organizational success. There is a need for organizations to abandon task oriented management styles in favor of flexible ones. This will enable organizations to keep talented people and meet their objectives.
References
- Aroosiya, M.A.C.F., 2023. A study on work life balance during the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. Am J Interdiscip Res Innov, 1(3), pp.17-23.
- Tennakoon, W.D.N.S.M. and Senarathne, R.B.C.P., 2020. Investigating the determinants of work-life balance (WLB): Insights from Generation Y employees in Sri Lanka. South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics, 8(4), pp.142-154.
- Arunashantha, A., 2019. The impact of work-life balance on job satisfaction: With special reference to ABC private limited in Sri Lanka. American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR), 3(6), pp.97-108.
- Rajkumar, S., Cherian, E., Sharma, J. and Singh, A., 2025. Effectiveness Of Work-Life Balance Programs in Reducing Employee Burnout. Journal of Marketing & Social Research, 2, pp.186-193.
A great post. You have correctly identified how the current economic strain and labor shortages within Sri lanka have transformed the term overtime from an exception to a mandatory requirement. It’s indeed a vicious cycle, when we tend to rely on a few skillful employees because of the existing talent and skill gaps, we increase the risk of burning out the individuals the organization relies on the most. You emphasis on the need for transforming from task oriented to flexible management approaches in vital for long term employee retention.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very insightful and timely piece on work-life balance as an emerging HR challenge, especially in today’s fast-paced, digitally connected world where the boundaries between personal and professional life are increasingly blurred. I really like how the blog highlights that work-life balance is no longer just about splitting time, but about maintaining overall well-being and mental health while staying productive. It clearly shows that organizations need to move beyond traditional approaches and genuinely prioritize employee well-being, as a balanced workforce is more engaged, motivated, and committed. Overall, this blog effectively emphasizes that work-life balance is not just a benefit but a strategic necessity, and it would be even more interesting to see how organizations, particularly in contexts like Sri Lanka, can adopt practical strategies such as flexible working arrangements and wellness initiatives to support their employees better.
ReplyDeleteGreat insights. This post does an excellent clarification of connecting macro-economic pressures to the daily reality of HRM in Sri Lanka. It’s clear that work-life balance is no longer just a trend but an operational necessity to keep talent from leaving. The push for more flexible management styles is a conversation every leader in the hospitality and manufacturing sectors needs to be having right now.
ReplyDeleteThis is a clear and relevant point about the growing importance of work-life balance in Sri Lanka. I like how you highlight the need to move towards more flexible management styles. But how can organizations balance flexibility with maintaining productivity and meeting targets? Finding the right balance seems like a key challenge to explore further.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion it's a very interesting read as it reflects on the current challenges within the Sri Lankan workforce which most of us also face on a day today basis. You have clearly illustrated how the combination of economic pressure and labor shortages creates a cycle of burnout, particularly the burden of competence placed on a few skillful employees.
ReplyDeleteYour explanation on moving toward flexible, wellness oriented management is very important. In today’s fast moving world, prioritizing mental health and employee support isn't just a benefit but is essential for organizational survival as well.
This really reflects what many employees are going through today with workload and work life imbalance. But how can HR practically support employees to switch off from work while still meeting organizational demands?
ReplyDeleteOne way to improve the health of both the organization and its employees is to hire talented people and make sure that work is fairly distributed.
DeleteGreat article! You’ve clearly highlighted how work-life balance is becoming a key factor in modern HR practices, especially with changing employee expectations and evolving workplace dynamics. I really like how you connected employee well-being with organizational success, as research also shows that better work-life balance improves productivity, job satisfaction, and retention. How can organizations practically implement work-life balance initiatives without negatively affecting short-term business performance?
ReplyDeleteThis is very relatable, especially the part about not being able to switch off after work. I think a lot of people are going through the same thing now. The examples you gave from your workplace make it more real, not just theory. It also shows how much pressure employees are under with staff shortages. I agree that organisations need to take this more seriously, otherwise it will keep affecting both employees and overall performance.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that stands out is how strongly you link work-life balance to both employee wellbeing and organisational performance. That’s important, because many companies still treat it as a “personal issue” rather than a business concern. Your point about skilled employees carrying more workload due to labour shortages is also very accurate and something many people quietly experience.
ReplyDeleteI think you have done a strong job grounding your personal experience in the broader Sri Lankan context, and your use of local literature—Aroosiya (2023) and Tennakoon and Senarathne (2020)—lends real credibility. The example of hotel workers skipping days off due to labor shortages makes the abstract issue concrete. And your point about the "skilled few" carrying disproportionate burdens is especially sharp, it highlights how labor shortages create a vicious cycle where top performers are most at risk of burnout.
ReplyDeleteGiven these constraints, what realistic interventions do you think Sri Lankan hospitality and manufacturing organizations could implement to protect work-life balance without exacerbating staffing gaps?
Great analysis. You’ve accurately captured the "competence burden," where labor shortages force us to burn out our best talent just to keep operations running.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the real challenge is practical: how do we implement flexible, human-centric policies in high-pressure industries (like hospitality) without compromising essential operational productivity?
A good point you’ve highlighted is the 'competence burden' that often goes unnoticed in discussions about work-life balance. When labor shortages occur, organizations naturally lean on their most skilled employees to bridge the gap, essentially rewarding high performance with a higher risk of burnout. It’s a powerful reminder that poor balance isn't just a personal issue and it's a strategic risk that can lead to the loss of an organization's most valuable talent.
ReplyDeleteIn high-pressure sectors like hospitality where 'always-on' service is expected, what are some practical ways HR can help those 'skilled few' set boundaries without making them feel like they are letting the team down?
Nice topic. From an HR perspective, work-life balance is not just a “benefit” it’s a core driver of employee wellbeing, engagement, and productivity. When employees can balance work and personal life, they perform better and stay more committed. In Sri Lankan workplaces too, flexible policies and realistic workloads are becoming essential, not optional.
ReplyDeleteThis is a relevant and realistic discussion of work-life balance issues in Sri Lanka, and it effectively connects economic pressures with workplace outcomes. I like how you link labor shortages and overtime to both employee well-being and organizational performance, especially in sectors like tourism and manufacturing. The inclusion of wellness programs and leadership responsibility adds practical value to your argument.
ReplyDeleteYou could also briefly connect your discussion to a theory such as Job Demands–Resources Model to strengthen the theoretical depth.
Overall, this is a clear, grounded, and important HRM topic with strong real-world relevance.
Really relatable and well-written. I like how you linked real work situations with the impact of poor work–life balance. Your suggestions on supportive leadership and wellness programs were practical and relevant.
ReplyDeleteThis is clearly an important issue in Sri Lanka today. It also highlights the need for organizations to prioritize employee well-being for long-term success.
I particularly agree with your point that a stressed and tired employee is dissatisfied with their job, resulting in physical and psychological problems according to (Arunashantha, 2019), which clearly highlights how work life imbalance extends beyond personal strain into organizational risk. Your example of employees working overtime and even skipping their days off due to labor shortages strongly reflects the structural challenges in Sri Lanka’s current workforce. This reinforces the need for the shift you suggested, a approach highlighting a shift from task oriented management to more flexible and employee centered approaches. All these aspects make a strong case for why work life balance should be treated as a strategic HR priority rather than just a personal concern.
ReplyDeleteThis is a clear and relatable discussion on how poor work–life balance affects both employees and organizations. The examples and practical solutions, especially on wellness programs and leadership support, make the analysis meaningful and relevant. So what are the specific strategies can organizations in Sri Lanka use to reduce overtime while still managing labor shortages?
ReplyDeleteThe inclusion of personal and workplace examples makes the article more realistic and engaging. It clearly shows how work–life imbalance affects employees in everyday situations.
ReplyDeleteYou’ve perfectly described the "burden of the best"—where being a skilled employee in Sri Lanka right now feels like a recipe for burnout. It’s a very brave and necessary reality check for employers.
ReplyDeleteYour blog on work-life balance is very good and easy to understand. I like how you explained why it is important in human resource management and how it helps employees feel better and work better.
ReplyDeleteBut I want to raise a question. In Sri Lanka, many employees have heavy workloads and long working hours. So, is it really possible to achieve proper work-life balance in real situations, not just in theory?
Overall, it is a nice and useful article that highlights an important topic for today’s workplace.
The study investigates how work–life balance challenges impact both economic pressure and labor shortages. The main strength of the study establishes a direct connection between employee wellbeing problems and the resulting organizational outcomes which include burnout and turnover as well as productivity decline.
ReplyDelete