Voice of Faculty: A Work Reflection on Work-Life Dis/harmony in Higher Academia

Abstract

Faculty’s ability to balance multiple life-roles is directly related to their physical and mental well-being, and their career performance and success. Family and work are the two most important domains for many Faculty’s. When conflicts between these two domains occur, there are potentially adverse effects for individuals, families and organizations. Work engagement, work-life balance, and occupational commitment and are all factors affecting faculty’s decisions to remain in the classroom. One should note that teachers’ personal lives are intimately linked to their performance in their professional lives. Therefore, the major objective of the present study is work-life balance (WLB) issues faced by faculty of higher education in Hyderabad. To achieve this end, data were collected by area sampling (cluster-random) paired with semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire. A survey is conducted on 12 educational institutions of Hyderabad taking sample of 180 teachers to know the real status of work-life balance. In the Questionnaire, Likert’s five point scale was employed to determine scores. The study finds that the work-life balance situation is moderate which can be improved by ensuring flexible working hours, transport facility, residential facility, child care center, encouragement for career development, flexible work arrangements/job sharing, reduced working hours & workload for the faculty in higher education.