Introduction
Although the approval of a project to recognize the National Day of Work-Life Balance promised changes focused on this aspect, in six years little has been adjusted. The real issue of the work-life imbalance has only worsened.
Government Promises and Lack of Legislative Changes
In 2019, the recognition of the National Day of Work-Life Balance was promised to promote studies, diagnoses, and concrete proposals to improve the existing framework by the Federal Government. However, legislative changes expected with this civic recognition have yet to arrive.
NOM-035 and its Limitations
The NOM-035 considers the imbalance between work and personal life as a psychosocial risk factor in the workplace. However, little progress has been made on this matter within the Federal Labor Law (LFT). The most recent changes to labor legislation include the right to digital disconnection with telework reform and an increase in vacation days.
Expert Opinions on the Current State
Jorge Gutiérrez Siles, a senior consultant at Kaysa Health and Well-being, states that without integral reforms and public policies, the recognition of Work-Life Balance has had little real impact.
“In terms of results, it hasn’t been very helpful. It’s a good first step to visualize it, but without accompanying instrumentation and outcome focus, the expected benefits aren’t seen. The problem is that time moves forward, and numbers grow for physical and mental illnesses caused by not correcting many work organization elements.”
Jorge Gutiérrez Siles, senior consultant at Kaysa Health and Well-being
Mexico’s Global Standing on Work-Life Balance
Despite Mexico’s recognition of the importance of work-life balance, the country does not have a good global position on this matter. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), 41.7% of Mexico’s labor force experiences an imbalance between personal and working life, placing it only below the Philippines (43.2%) among countries with a high proportion of people without work-life balance.
Work-Family Interference as a Psychosocial Risk Factor
Marisol Vásquez, coordinator of Affor Health’s Psychology Hub in Mexico, highlights that work-family interference is one of the highest psychosocial risk factors in companies, especially Mexican capital-owned firms.
“This aligns well with the Mexican context, where we have extensive working hours but low productivity and well-being levels. We remain trapped in a culture that values presence over production efficiency and health.”
Marisol Vásquez, coordinator of Affor Health’s Psychology Hub in Mexico
Efforts Towards Regulation and Public Policy
In the current legislature, there have been efforts to advance regulations related to the right to work-life balance. Proposals include recognizing work-life balance and digital disconnection as principles of dignified labor in the Federal Labor Law, allowing working parents to synchronize their vacations with school calendars, and prohibiting stress-inducing practices like total availability.
NOM-035: Insufficient for Real Change
Jorge Gutiérrez believes that while the NOM-035 was a good step, it is insufficient to change the current reality. More focus on outcomes and stricter enforcement of risk reduction for companies is needed, he argues.
“We lack more outcome-focused attention. Currently, verification of the norm is documental; however, there should be a way to demand that companies reduce risks. Without doing so, we merely generate administrative paperwork.”
Jorge Gutiérrez Siles, senior consultant at Kaysa Health and Well-being
Home Office: A Double-Edged Sword
Although the rapid home office implementation during the pandemic allowed more people to spend quality time with their families, its hasty and improvised implementation often resulted in the opposite effect, according to Marisol Vásquez.
“In many cases, instead of achieving balance, it accentuated hyperconnectivity and imbalance. Although working from home has allowed time-saving commutes, that time is now invested in work.”
Marisol Vásquez, coordinator of Affor Health’s Psychology Hub in Mexico
Work-Life Balance: A Shared Responsibility
Patricia Debeljuh, director of the Centro Conciliación Familia y Empresa (CONFyE) at IAE Business School, emphasizes that work-life balance is a “shared responsibility.” Employees decide where, how, and when they want to work, but employers also play a role in supporting their employees’ lives outside of work.
“Unlike the past when work ended with the completion of the working hours, today any work schedule extends with technology use. This creates a shared responsibility; if an employee doesn’t want to take vacations, the employer must encourage them. This is also cultural and needs to be addressed, as workaholism eventually leads to illness in the long term.”
Patricia Debeljuh, director of Centro Conciliación Familia y Empresa (CONFyE) at IAE Business School
Importance of Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is crucial because people spend most of their time in these two areas, and although they can compete, both need harmonious development. Understanding that growth in one area enriches the other is essential.
“Only 20% of family problems reflect in the workplace, but 80% of work issues are brought home. In both cases, families suffer because they absorb these tensions.”
Patricia Debeljuh, director of Centro Conciliación Familia y Empresa (CONFyE) at IAE Business School
