ASSESSING FACTORS INFLUENCING WORK-LIFE BALANCE AMONG STUDENTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Work competition is increasing, causing work-related stress among employees. To manage work stress, employees are expected to have time management skills. Furthermore, research shows that time management skills can create work-life balance, which improves individual quality of life. Although many studies have examined the influence of time management on work-life balance, none have specifically investigated this in the Human Resource (HR) profession. The HR profession carries different workloads compared to other positions. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of time management on work-life balance among employees in the Human Resource Division. Using a quantitative approach with purposive sampling technique, data were collected from 104 HR employees through questionnaires. The results indicate that time management significantly influences work-life balance with a contribution of 27.3% (R² = 0.273; p < 0.001). This finding shows that the better the time management skills of employees, the higher the level of work-life balance they experience. Further analysis shows that demographic variables such as gender and marital status do not significantly affect the relationship between time management and work-life balance. However, the number of children shows potential marginal influence, and daily working hours significantly affect the relationship between time management and work-life balance. Therefore, it is important for companies not only to promote time management skills but also to consider daily workload to improve employees’ work-life balance, especially in the Human Resource division

The article focuses on the issues of professional training systems for future specialists during the digitalization of the labor market and the educational process itself. The relevance of the current study lies in the fact that the dynamics of the traditional methodological approach towards the educational process, given the global world trends, determines the priority of focusing on the competence approach. This article aims to determine the peculiarities of professional training of future specialists and its structure in the context of digital changes in the modern labor market. During the study, the following general research methods were applied: synthesis, analysis, specification, generalization, comparison, systematization, and abstraction. The author has substantiated the structure of professional training of future specialists, which combines professional and personal components. Also, there were identified vectors for improving the educational process aimed at forming future specialists' information, digital, communication, and intercultural competence as essential components of their overall professionalism. The author has established that the need to improve the process of professional training at the current stage of development is stipulated by specific requirements for professionally significant qualities resulting from the particular content and focus of professional activities in line with digital changes in the labor market. The study has found that one of the promising areas of the educational process today involves the formation of personal qualities of future specialists, including their digital literacy, logical thinking, and international communication skills.In addition, the author has outlined the basic principles of implementing and developing the interdisciplinary integration of the professional training process to meet the requirements of the digitalized labor market.

Work-life balance plays a critical role in shaping employee performance, well-being, and job satisfaction. It is of paramount importance, not only an individual but for the employer as well because this factor contributes to employee performance, well-being, and job satisfaction. Given the high demands of both academic and administrative roles in higher education institutions, a balance between work and personal life is a must to sustain productivity and job satisfaction. Though there is a huge body of work done on work-life balance and family-supportive supervisor behaviours, the role they play in the higher education sector, specifically in this Delhi NCR region is still vague. It is expected from the management that the employees will be motivated, engaged with doing their job effectively with the help of these work–life balance strategies. When employees are able to balance work and life like one should, they are usually the ones who are happier and more productive. On the other hand, a disparity between work and personal life can cause stress, poor performance, and unhappiness. This highlights the also important position of supervisors and how their behaviour can impact employees perception and modification of work-life balance. This research seeks to provide insights into the factors that contributes to a healthier and more productive workplace by investigating the relationship between work-life balance, job satisfaction and employee performance. The significance of these dynamics is especially important in the context of institutions of higher education, where work requirements can doom life outside of work. These findings could help institutions to form policies that foster employee welfare but institutional effectiveness. The factors that impact Work-Life Balance on Performance, Well-Being, and Job Satisfaction are Workplace Culture and Environment, Personal Factors and Life Stages, Job Demands and Workload, Job Demands and Workload and Time Management Skills.

The purpose of this article is to analyze self-management and time management as essential tools for personal growth and professional development. The study focuses on how these management practices influence the ability to regulate oneself, prioritize tasks, and effectively utilize time to achieve both personal and career goals. The concepts of “self-management” and “time management” are thoroughly examined, alongside their interrelation and practical significance in the context of contemporary workplace demands. This article emphasizes the role of time management in balancing work, personal life, and continuous professional improvement. The research employs a variety of methods, including analysis, synthesis, comparison, and generalization. Additionally, a systems approach is applied to understand the relationship between individual time management techniques and self-management practices. The study reviews both theoretical models and practical methodologies for teaching and implementing these skills in educational and organizational environments. This approach ensures that the article provides both a theoretical understanding and actionable insights for improving personal productivity. The article concludes that the effective development of self-management and time management skills is crucial for enhancing individual effectiveness, boosting motivation, and maintaining well-being. These skills are also essential in boosting competitive advantage in the labor market and improving overall life satisfaction. By adopting strategies for managing time and oneself, individuals can increase their professional efficiency, reduce stress, and achieve a better work-life balance. The findings of this research are valuable for educators, students, managers, and HR professionals interested in integrating self-management and time management techniques into their practice, thereby supporting personal and organizational success. Moreover, this article highlights the growing relevance of these competencies in the digital era, where adaptability and time-sensitive decision-making are critical. Continued research and practical application in this field will contribute to more resilient and proactive professional communities.

BackgroundWork-life balance is a key contributor to doctors’ wellbeing and consequently is a central factor in their career decisions. General Medical Council guidance outlines the importance of work-life balance as part of compassionate self-care. Learning self-care should begin as an undergraduate, when academic and clinical workload can contribute to stress, anxiety and burnout.MethodsSequential mixed methods study of medical students in Years 3–5 at the University of Birmingham, UK. Students (n = 145) defined work-life balance in free-text answers and self-assessed their current work-life balance via questionnaires. Following this, a sub-sample of students (n = 44) participated in exploratory individual mini-interviews.ResultsWork-life balance emerged as a broad and multifactorial concept. Questionnaire respondents most frequently referenced enjoyment, meeting work requirements and time management in their definitions. Interview participants highlighted additional influencing factors such as peer groups, study skills, family and professional culture. Students expect a significant shift towards work after graduating and expressed concerns about the stresses of delivering patient care. 42% (n = 60) of students felt they had received support with their work-life balance during their training, mostly from family and friends. Most students had not received support or advice on their work-life balance from University or hospital staff.ConclusionSelf-care and work-life balance are essential for medical students and doctors to cope with lifelong learning and deliver effective care. Medical school staff should be pro-active in supporting students to develop these skills, particularly during critical transition periods. Early interventions targeting study skills and time management may be beneficial. Further research should include students in Years 1–2 and compare different institutions.

This paper presents the application of expert decision methods for the formulation and prioritization of the long-term economic, social and environmental policies in the Slovak Republic. The Partnership Agreement for the Slovak Republic (PA) is an underlying strategy for investments from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) in the period 2021-2027. Policies implemented under the PA will allocate €13.4b on four policy objectives. This paper concentrates on the policy objective 4 ‘Social development’. The authors co-operated with the Deputy Prime Minister Office and assembled panels of top Slovak experts on social and economic issues. The Delphi and Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methods were combined for analyzing major development challenges and eliciting policy priorities. The methods combined the bottom-up and top-down approaches to policy making. Nine potential policy measures in three policy areas emerged from the Delphi exercise. The AHP exercise applied three criteria (relevance, urgency and feasibility) to rank the abovementioned measures within three policy areas. As for the Policy Area 1 (Labour market, employment, training and institutions) the measure 4.1.1 ‘Improving access to employment and modernizing institutions and services on labour market’ clearly dominated over the measure 4.1.2 ‘Supporting a better work-life balance’. The measure 4.2.2 ‘Equal access to quality and inclusive education’ emerged substantially more important than measures 4.2.1 ‘Improving the quality and effectiveness of education and training systems’ and 4.2.3 ‘Support to life-long learning’ in the Policy Area 2 ‘Education and skills’. Finally, measures 4.3.2 ‘Supporting social and economic integration of marginalized Roma communities’ and 4.3.3 ‘Ensuring equal access to healthcare including primary care’ received the highest ranks in the Policy Area 3 ‘Health and social services’.

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies, and automated labour markets has created unprecedented challenges and opportunities for education systems worldwide. Traditional pedagogical models, often rooted in teacher-centred approaches, are increasingly insufficient to prepare learners for the complex demands of the 21st-century workforce. This paper explores future-oriented pedagogies that integrate technology, ethical reasoning, and interdisciplinary learning to develop students’ adaptability, critical thinking, and digital literacy. Drawing on global research and regional insights from Fiji and the Pacific, the study examines the pedagogical strategies necessary to align education with emerging labour market trends, technological disruption, and socio-cultural imperatives. The paper highlights AI-enhanced learning, experiential and project-based approaches, collaborative problem-solving, lifelong learning, and culturally responsive teaching as critical components of a future-ready educational framework. It argues that universities and schools must adopt innovative, flexible, and inclusive pedagogies to ensure learners are not only employable but also ethically, socially, and environmentally responsible citizens. By bridging theory, practice, and regional relevance, this paper provides actionable recommendations for educators, policymakers, and institutions seeking to prepare learners for an unpredictable, technology-driven future.

Liberal Professions in the Change of Labour Markets

Introduction: In the present century, women seem to flood into every industry/department on par with men with their knowledge and skill. The working woman’s job title, demands, and challenges she faces often result in incompatibilities between the necessities felt at the workplace and home leading to conflicts and loss of work-life balance (WLB). Eventually, a work-life balance is said to exist if the workplace and non-work domains have a proper compatibility. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study has been conducted among married female healthcare workers in the tertiary care hospital during the period November 2022 to April 2023. The healthcare workers included were Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacy staff, and lab technicians. A sample size 318 was derived and samples were drawn by stratified random sampling method. The chi-square test was employed to find an association in IBM SPSS v21. Results: Only 28.3% of the healthcare workers had adequate work-life balance and the majority (66 %) cited family factors as the key factor influencing their work-life balance. Statistically significant association (p<0.05) has been established for characteristics like occupation, marital status, type of family, presence of children, type of duty, place of work and travel time. Conclusion: A series of focus group discussions can be conducted as it serves as a forum for sharing ideas, concerns and information on work-life balance. Institutions can support their staff by developing flexible working schedules and also by ensuring that workplace demands are not penetrating their personal life.

OPINION article Front. Pediatr., 17 September 2015Sec. Pediatric Critical Care Volume 3 - 2015 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2015.00076

BackgroundResearch into the motivation and expectations of the emerging workforce and their short-term expectations has already been reported with a view to informing professional and policy decisions. The objective of this component of the research programme was to examine the long-term goals and perceived influences on final year dental students' professional careers.MethodsUnivariate analysis of a self completed questionnaire survey of all final year dental students from King's College London, comprising questions on demography, long-term career goals and influences, proposed commitment to dentistry, commitment to healthcare systems and the influences thereon. Statistical analysis included Chi Squared tests for linear association.ResultsNinety per cent of students responded to this survey (n = 126), the majority of whom were aged 23 years (59%), female (58%) and Asian (70%). Long-term career goals were fairly evenly split between 'dentist with a special interest' (27%), 'primary dental care practitioner' (26%) and 'specialist' (25%), with 19% not certain. Only 60% of total respondents anticipated working full-time in the long-term (79% males cf 52% females; p = 0.00). The vast majority of respondents (≥80%) identified 'work-life balance', 'financial stability' and 'professional development' as 'important' or 'very important' influences on the number of future sessions. Females were significantly more likely to rate childcare commitments as an important influence on their future working capacity compared with males (p = 0.00). A wide range of factors were considered important or very important in making the NHS attractive, led by support for professional development (88%) and feeling valued by patients (88%), as well as funding, time with patients, rewards for prevention and practical issues such as dental materials and premises. Females were significantly more likely than males to be attracted to work within the NHS by 'childcare support' (p = 0.02), 'retraining facilities after career break' (p = 0.01), 'assistance with student debt' (p = 0.01) and 'incentives to work in deprived areas'.ConclusionLong-term career plans of new graduates from this London Dental School commonly embrace opportunities for professional development as well as personal issues such as work/life balance and financial income. Significant differences were identified between male and females long-term plans and influences. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Japanese labour and management in transition: Diversity, flexibility and participation: Edited by Mari Sako and Hiroki Sato, Routledge (1977), 344 pp., £50.00 (hard), £14.99 (soft)

Due to recent changes in the labour market, recruitment and retaining employees have become more important than ever. Research dealing with the appearance of new generations in the labour market has found that they are less loyal to their employers, have high demands, and the key factors that they consider when choosing a job are salary, career opportunities, working environment, and work-life balance. As numerous studies in recent years have proved the importance of a healthy lifestyle in the context of labour, the question has arisen whether opportunities for sport participation and services supporting the well-being of employees have an influence on young people when they are seeking employment. We carried out an online survey to find out what students of the University of Debrecen think about the issue. The results were in line with the findings of previous studies, that is, young people look for high salaries, good working conditions, work-life balance and career opportunities when choosing a job. However, respondents did not identify sports opportunities and well-being benefits as major factors Yet, we found significant differences between different groups in terms of preference of particular factors, depending on sex, marital status, and whether someone does physical exercises regularly, and whether someone works while attending a university course or not.

Do Countries Matter? Explaining the Variation in the Use of Numerical Flexibility Arrangements Across European Companies Using a Multi-Level Model

The labour market in Ukraine has undergone significant changes in recent years, driven by both pre-war economic processes and the full-scale war that has been ongoing since 2022. Key challenges include shifts in the employment structure, intensified migration processes, sectoral imbalances and the impact of economic instability on socio-labour relations. Research on this topic is highly relevant as it allows for an assessment of the crisis phenomena affecting the labour market and the identification of possible ways to stabilise and develop it. Another important aspect is the analysis of regional employment characteristics and the identification of the most vulnerable population groups facing difficulties in finding employment. Practical implications. The present study is devoted to the analysis of sectoral imbalances in Ukraine's labour market, which have emerged as a consequence of economic, social, and political transformations that have transpired in the context of the pre-war era and the ongoing war. A particular emphasis is placed on sectoral imbalances, employment levels, and migration processes, with an investigation into their impact on the labour market. Methodology. The research is grounded in a comprehensive analysis of statistical data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the State Employment Service, official reports, and academic publications. A range of analytical methods are employed to assess labour market changes, including comparative analysis, structural analysis and statistical approaches. Research objective. The primary objective of this study is to identify key trends and imbalances in Ukraine's labour market, forecast its future development, and formulate recommendations to mitigate the negative impact of war and economic factors on employment. Conclusions. The study confirms the presence of significant sectoral distortions in Ukraine's labour market, which have been exacerbated by the war. The research has identified that economic instability, mobilisation, forced migration, and infrastructure destruction have resulted in alterations to the employment structure. There is an increasing demand for blue-collar workers, IT specialists, healthcare professionals, and the military-industrial sector. Concurrently, conventional industries such as trade and services have experienced substantial losses. The document puts forward a series of recommendations for adapting the labour market to contemporary challenges, including the establishment of retraining programs, support for small businesses, digitalization of employment, and stimulation of innovative economic sectors.