There used to be a time when clocking off at the end of the day was it. You could relax. Your journey back home was a good way to make that transition from work mode to home mode.
Today, working patterns can be very different. The distinction between work and home-life is often less clear.
Sure, to a certain extent there is more flexibility in today’s modern world. If you are a technical writer you could now work anywhere in the world without having to travel into an office somewhere – providing you have an internet connection.
But that also means that you never fully switch off either. Answering emails late into the evening is all too easy thanks to smart phones and tablets.
Law
In France, however, there is a different attitude to work. A law to reduce the statutory working week in the country from 39 hours to 35 hours was introduced in 2000 for companies with more than 20 employees. In 2002, the law was extended to businesses with fewer than 20 staff members.
In 2016 some companies in Sweden moved to a six-hour working day to try and increase productivity and make people happier.
A two-year pilot scheme among Gothenburg nurses did show employees felt healthier. Absences and patient care were said to have improved. The downside, however, were costs being higher. It will be interesting to see how the French system will fair over the long-term.
For those involved in technical writing professionally, perhaps as freelancers, it can be tempting to work during what is seen as traditionally relaxation times such as in the evenings or at weekends.
That’s fine, as long as there is still time to unwind and relax too. We all have a responsibility to make sure that our work-life balance is well, balanced.
Mike Waplington
Commercial Manager
Omnilingua Ltd
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Main image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net