wellbeing: work-life balance & w omen l earners
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Wellbeing: Work-Life Balance & W omen L earners. Joanne Smith. Aims. To consider the potential wellbeing benefits of learning Looking at the issue of Work-Life Balance (WLB) Providing a brief overview of this PhD study & the approach taken - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Wellbeing: Work-Life Balance & Women Learners
Joanne Smith
AimsTo consider the potential wellbeing
benefits of learningLooking at the issue of Work-Life
Balance (WLB)Providing a brief overview of this PhD
study & the approach takenLook at challenges and benefits of
learning, linking with WLB and wellbeing theme
Consider strategies and motivators
Education & Well-being“The evidence that learning promotes
well-being is overwhelming” (Field, 2009, IFFL)
“Learning encourages social interaction and increases self-esteem and feelings
of competency…….”“…will enable individuals to develop new skills, strengthen social networks, and
feel more able to deal with life’s challenges.”
New Economics Foundation (2009)
Linking education with wellbeingNIACE (2013) comments that
education and learning can lead to improved wellbeing
Associated with raised self esteem
Raised awareness around health issues and wellbeing
Improved career prospects and job opportunities leading to social inclusion
Defining Work-Life Balance:“‘Work-life balance’ has emerged as
a widely used and popular way of talking about challenges in combining paid work with other parts of life.” (Gambles et al 2006)
“Having sufficient control and autonomy over where, when and how you work to fulfil your responsibility within and outside paid work.” (Work Foundation 2008)
Work-life Balance & Well-beingForm a close associationIndividual ability to reach a
balance within their lives will lead to wellbeing
Yet WLB is often viewed as a deficit model, in terms of discussion being about a lack of balance
There is a wealth of research which includes a strong gender dimension
My research….Based upon a mixed method Initial Survey of 106 learners In-depth Interviews of 10 women
undertaking Foundation Degrees in Early Years
Also, 2 focus groups, one with a new group of respondents, a second re-visiting respondents from the interviews
Hence forming a case study based upon a thematic review
Nature of work based learningWorkEarn LearnFoundation degrees value the
benefits of having learners who are in the workforce
Looking at combining theory and practice
Also drawing from tacit skills and understanding
Issues around work-based learning & WLB
Work-based Learning can lead to potential issues around achieving WLB
Work earn and learn is based upon combining roles
With different aspects of life taking time and effort
Potentially for clashing demands as well as complementing aspects
Achieving WBL?
Challenges faced:Demands competing for attention:Family and the domesticThe workplace / time dedication to
employmentLearning / study time: In terms of the
study day / evening at University or college
Independent studyLeisure
Overlapping Demands
How much leisure? Not much…
LeisureLeisure is forced out as study takes
over much personal timeOnly leisure which benefits the
family is allowableCassidy (2005) comments that
leisure is an important buffer zone for stress
Associating the depletion of leisure with stress and adverse physical effects
What respondents say about their situation?
“It’s really hard…”“…the house is a mess at the minute, but I have got to get my assignment finished….it all takes a back seat …when I have finished my assignment
I will clean up…..” “…..occasionally I will have a
weep….”“What is very difficult is the guilt
when I started to study….I was guilty of studying”
What is a typical day like?“…it is just hard coming home
from working all day and then coming home to do more work”
“…my study time has gone to evenings…..later and later”
“I feel tired……then I yawn myself through it…..”
“I get worked up…I hate being stressed”
Implications of study include…Stress Guilt linked a sense of family
responsibilityPhysical effect: Illness,
headaches, colds, weight gainEmotional Effects: Tears and
cryingDeadline obsession: constantly
focused upon the end
Strategies to achieve balance:Managing and planning timeDelegating to family and seeking helpPlacing priorities around studies Lowered domestic standards and
expectations in some areas to achieve deadlines
Support from family, tutors, the student group, workplace
Reducing working hours
Strategies:“Everything is controlled…..time
tabled…”“….. I can do it when they are in
bed and I know that they are safe”“…so that work doesn’t take over
everything….….I keep things in boxes really.”
“I really did struggle I thought ….I can’t do this course and be working full time….I decided to reduce my hours”
Motivation was linked to….Wanting a better future for
themselves and their familiesIncreased income potentialRoles models for their childrenTo make their families proudOn balance they felt they might
make short terms compromises for greater opportunity in the future
Respondents said about study:“….they know that I want to
better myself….and if I better myself maybe I would get a better job”
“I feel like I am achieving something…..and I am learning a lot…and I am passing it on…”
“…. I do it for girls, because, they are looking forward to me graduating”
Positive benefits of learningImproved self-esteem and self imageIncreased confidence in dealing with
all aspects of lifeSense of personal achievementBecoming more articulateBetter able to access informationIncreased options and improved
career prospectsPositive impact upon family and
community
Final Question……If you had know what it involved would you still do it?“….sometimes you think why on
earth am I studying? Why am I doing this, but there is an answer, you are going to get a degree at the end of it….”
“….now when I speak about things at work, I actually know what I am talking about and that is great, you feel good about yourself”
“….I say if I had know what this was going to be like I would never have begun, but I know that I would
have because I have always wanted to do a degree….I really believe that and I think that I am a better
person for it…..I am more confident”
In conclusionEducation and learning have a positive
effect upon wellbeingBut at times outcomes require
compromises around WLBNegatives effects might be stress, time
pressure and reduction in leisureBut this is compensated through increased
confidence, self esteem and a sense of accomplishment, as well as improved career prospects
This keeps learners dedicated to their study