Work-life Harmony: Knowing Your Working Style

Flexible work arrangements (FWAs) have become increasingly prevalent in Singapore, as more working adults seek ways to better fit the personal and professional facets of their lives together.

The Conditions of Employment Survey 2022 by the Ministry of Manpower reflects this trend; 71.4 per cent of businesses offered at least one type of FWA to employees in 2022, up from 52.7 per cent in 2019.

In the workplace, employees can be supported through work-life programmes such as FWAs, enhanced leave benefits, and employee support schemes that enable them to focus on both work and personal responsibilities with greater ease. 

Not a free pass

For employees who leverage FWAs to enhance their work-life harmony, ensuring productivity and maintaining high quality of work remains paramount.  

Employees are responsible for gaining the trust of employers and colleagues by maintaining high work standards when using a FWA. This includes being accountable for work deliverables and communicating regularly with supervisors, team members and other stakeholders. 

Finding the right blend of work productivity and personal goals may be challenging but identifying your preferred working style¹ can help.

According to Dr Nancy Rothbard² , an expert on work-life harmony from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, there are typically three work styles: Integrators, Segmenters and Cyclers. 

Integrators combine work and personal life with ease. These employees may be comfortable replying to emails after office hours or taking work calls on the weekend without feeling interrupted. This work style suits those who enjoy multitasking and see their different roles as part of a whole.  

Segmenters, on the other hand, view work and personal life as mutually exclusive, and prefer to draw clear boundaries between personal and professional roles. They are unlikely to check their work email at home, or conversely, make a doctor’s appointment while at work. For those who have care-giving duties after work, being a Segmenter may support your work-life needs. 

Many employees tend to fall in between the two profiles shared above. Known as Cyclers, they switch between integrating during weekdays and segmenting on weekends. They may be comfortable to take a late-night call on a weekday but prefer not to take any work calls on Saturdays or Sundays.

Cyclers are willing to go the extra mile to complete tasks when necessary, but are also conscious of protecting their personal time. 

Find your working style

Knowing your preferred working style can be beneficial for individuals considering FWAs. Once you have identified your communication and work environment preferences, and how you maximise personal productivity, these can be considered together with the requirements of the job role, to help you determine the feasibility of utilising an FWA and find a mutually effective solution for you and the organisation.

Effective Work-life integration brings benefits 

It is no secret that employees who achieve work-life harmony are more rested and motivated. They are better able to manage stress, and experience higher morale and productivity, allowing them to achieve both personal and professional fulfilment. 

Whether you are an Integrator, Segmenter or Cycler, understanding how to manage your personal and work roles and responsibilities will contribute to greater work-life harmony for you as an individual, and result in better organisational outcomes for your employer. 

References

[1] Integrators, Segmenters and Cyclers, which category do your employees fit into? Available at: https://www.hrmonline.com.au/flexible-work/are-you-an-integrator-or-segmenter/ [Accessed on 10 Sep, 2024]
[2] Integrators and Segmenters: Managing Remote Workers. Available at: https://executiveeducation.wharton.upenn.edu/thought-leadership/wharton-at-work/2020/08/managing-remote-workers/ [Accessed on 10 Sep, 2024]