WORK-LIFE BALANCE

AND RELATIONSHIPS
Dr. Kanwal Kaisser

SOME STATISTICS

STATISTICS

4 out of 10 employees state that their

jobs are "very" or "extremely" stressful

Those in high stress jobs are 3 times

more likely to suffer from medical
conditions.

STATISTICS
CONTD.

Women, in particular, report stress

related to conflict between work and
family. (National Life Insurance
company)

75 90 % of physician visits are

related to stress and, according to the
American Institute of Stress.

WOMANS CHANGING
ROLE IN THE WORK
FORCE

WOMANS CHANGING
ROLE
In years past, a womans decision to work
outside her home was usually based on
three factors:

Marital status,

Contributions from other family

members (husbands salary),

Children

A married woman with children nearly

always worked only at home.

CURRENT SCENE

Women enjoy the sense of competence

Contribute financially to their families

Men face less stress when not

pressured to be the familys sole
provider

CURRENT SCENE
(CONTD.)

In 1960, 1/3rd women with children

were employed outside the home.

In 2003, 60.7 % of mothers in twoparent families were employed.

4 out of 5 Americans say its fine for a

married woman to work even though
her husband makes enough money to
support the family.

CHANGING
OCCUPATIONS

Womens occupations are also

changing as they move into careers
previously dominated by males

Fill approximately 1/3rd of

management positions

However, remain in jobs with little

authority and low pay.

RESULT :MORE
COMPLEX FAMILY LIFE

Challenge of balancing responsibilities

in both the family and work areas

The ones who feel they arent very

successful in balancing family and work
is highest between the ages of 30 to 39.

SUPERWOMANS
LEGACY

Marian Thomas writes:

"The good news is superwoman is dead.

The bad news is she left behind an
entire generation of women who are still
struggling to figure out how to balance
home and work.

COMMON
CONCERNS.

How can I work and have

time with my partner or for
myself and be available for
the kids and get the shopping
done and find time to mop
the kitchen floor, not to
mention relationships,
Masjid, kids games?

Approximately 95 percent of
adults in a national survey
reported they are concerned
work takes too much time
away from their families.

FAMILY AND WORK SE TTINGS HAVE A

BUILT-IN POTENTIAL FOR C ONF LICT.

You may feel overwhelmed

with the demands at work
and at home.

You may feel little energy or

time to do all the things you
are required to do

You may feel you have no

time for yourself.

CONFLICTS IN WORK-FAMILY
BALANCE

Time conflicts
Conflict due to tension
between roles
Behavioral conflicts

ECONOMIC AND
DEMOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

Economic
context
Globalization of markets

Demographic
context
Aging population

Market competition

Low birth rate

Mass entry of women into

labour market

Sandwich generation

Tertiarization of the
economy

WORK AND SOCIAL

CONTEXT

Work
context
Increased use of
technology
Increase in atypical
jobs and
work schedules
Few measures to
facilitate work- family
reconciliation
Work intensification

Social
context

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF
ANALYSIS

Work-family balance

Time conflicts

Conflict due to tension between roles

Behavioural conflicts

IMPACT ON FAMILY,
WORK & HEALTH
Impact on
family

Impact on
work

Impact on
health

Decreased
socialization
Deterioration of
lifestyle practices
(food, exercise, etc.)

Reduced work
satisfaction

Stress, burnout,
fatigue, tension and
depression

Absenteeism

Migraines,

Adaptation problems

Employee turnover

Cardiovascular
diseases

Reduced marital
satisfaction
Reduced ability to
transmit values,
culture

Demotivation

Obesity
Increased health care
costs Increase in
number of single
parents
Diversification of
families

Dual-earner families
Social isolation

FA M I LY A N D W O R K E N V I R O N M E N T S
I N F LU E N C E E A C H O T H E R .

Positive and negative feelings go with

you to work and to home.

B A L A N C E B E T W E E N W O R K A N D FA M I LY
S E TT I N G S W I L L M I N I M I Z E S T R E SS.

Reach Family Goals

Plan Family Activities

REALISTICALLY EVALUATE
YOUR EMPLOYMENT DECISION

Do you need to
work full-time?

Will you receive

health care,
retirement, and
vacation
benefits?

Calculate how
much the
decision to work
will cost in time
for family, childcare, clothing
and dry
cleaning, and
household
chores.

ORGANIZE FAMILY
ACTIVITIES
Set
prioriti
es for
the
family.
Plan
Ahead
for the
Next
Day

Be
Realist
ic

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
ON WORKING WOMEN
Allah Almighty says (what means):

And abide in
your houses and
do not display
yourselves as
[was] the
display of the
former times of
ignorance
[Quran 33: 33]

MUSLIM WOMEN
IN HISTORY
Scholars
and
Muhadditha
t

Worshipper
s

Orators and
Preachers

Women of
General
Excellence

Benefactors

Warriors

Poetesses
and Women
of
Eloquence

Many
Women of
Political
Acumen

KHADIJAH (RA):
THE ARCHETYPE

Wealth
and
Status
Family
and
Charac
ter

The First
of the
Believers

Esteemed
Counselor

WARRIOR WOMEN
Took part in battles by carrying water,
nursing wounded, some also fought!
Safiyya bint Abdul Muttalib, saw aunt
killed a spy with a tent pole
Khaibar & Umayyah bint Qais & the
women of Banu Ghifaar

The Yarmuk contingent

Azdah bint al Harith: Heroine of Battle of
Maisaan - banners made out of
headscarves to reinforce the army!

NUSAIBAH BINT
KAB ALANSARIYAH
Al-Aqabah
The Battle of Uhud
The Prophets (saw)Praise - I did not turn right or
left in the Battle of Uhud but that I saw her fighting
near me.
Her Wounds
Later Events: Ridwaan & Yamaamah

WOMEN OF
POWER

The number of women who were politically

prominent are well over a hundred: Umayyads,
Abbasids, Turks, Persians, Mongols, Indians, and
others.
Shajar ad-Durr

Sultana est control over Egypt, led resistance against

7th Crusade, captures leader St. Louis
Shaghab
ruled Abbasid empire for a time, helped public
audiences, governors and judges reported to her
Radiyah Begum
ruled Delhi took firm control of the govt., did justice,
led her armies and was famed for fair dealing.
Two Rulers in Modern Times:
Sakandar Begum took authority in the principality of
Bhopal in Central India- Great pilgrimage 1863

SOME GENERALIZATIONS
ABOUT WOMEN IN THE
PROPHETIC AGE

Critical
Consciousn
ess

Facility of
Movement

Counselors

Women and
Dynamic
Participatio
n

Women and
the Hijaab

Rich,
Mature,
Helpful,
Honorable
Lives

Women at
Work

Knowledge
able

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
ON WORKING WOMEN

Most important role is motherhood

ISLAMIC
GUIDELINES FOR
WORK
Must Obtain Husbands Consent

Must ensure full care for Home

and Children
Appropriate choice for
Employment
Must not compromise Islamic
Obligations

Must maintain Modesty

1. MUST OBTAIN
HUSBANDS CONSENT

First, she must

obtain consent
from her guardian
or husband (if
married), who
may offer a
broader
perspective on
how her work may
influence the
family and its
functioning.

2. MUST ENSURE FULL CARE

FOR HOME AND CHILDREN

Secondly, a
woman must
ensure that her
home and
children are
properly cared
for. Her husband
may be of
assistance in
this area, or
outside help may
be employed.

3. APPROPRIATE CHOICE
OF EMPLOYMENT

Thirdly, care
must be
taken to
choose
employment
that is
appropriate
and fits with
her skills.

4. MUST NOT COMPROMISE

ISLAMIC OBLIGATIONS

Fourthly, any
job that
prevents her
from fulfilling
any of her
Islamic
obligations, is
not an option
to be
considered.

5. MUST MAINTAIN
MODESTY

Fifthly, while
at the job, a
woman must
maintain her
inwardly and
outwardly
modesty and
chastity.

MUSLIM WOMEN
AND KNOWLEDGE

Transmitt
ers =
Transmitters of Raawiyaat
Hadith &
Scholars of
Bearing Hadith
the Light
of
Aishah

Women An
Essential
Element From
the Beginning
to the End

From the
Prophetic
Period till
the
Compilati
ons

CONSCIOUSNESS
OF THE
COMPANION
WOMEN
Social
and
Societal
Maturity

Social
Contributio
ns

Education:
Obtained Ijazas,
attended study
circles, taught
others, est.
institutions

What
made
them
amazi
ng?
Work in
and outside
the Home

Women are
the full
sisters of
men

Full Social
and
Political
Participatio
n

BALANCE TIME BETWEEN

WORK AND FAMILY!

CHECK OUT

Dr. Kanwal Kaisser