Work-Life Balance

Person A

To be honest, I keen on going to the office every day. Having a physical space that defines my job really helps me separate work and home life. I wouldn’t say I am close with any one I work with, but we do have some pleasant office banter which helps pass the time. When I leave my job, I don’t think about it at all and I can focus all my energy on my two-year old. The salary isn’t the greatest, but we get over a month of vacation time a year and sick days. It’s ideal for a working mom like me because I can use them to take care of my daughter.

Person B

Every morning, I listen to music as I get ready. I feel like this habit really helps me get into the mood for work. It’s not that I hate my job, but I just despise the journey. It sometimes takes me over an hour to get to the office by public transport, and if there’s delays, that figure could double. Some of my friends have the flexibility to do their jobs from home, but unfortunately my boss has not come around to that idea yet. We get free coffee and lunch catered at work, but I would gladly prepare my own food if it meant I could save hours of my life travelling to and from the office.

Person C

I’m in between jobs at the moment. Even though my last job was perfectly suited to my university degree and close to home, it wasn’t the right fit for me. My boss had unrealistic expectations and my coworkers were so competitive and unsupportive. Some say that’s what working in Journalism is like everywhere. It’s nice to be taking a break from such a negative environment, and I am using this time to focus on my interests. I have been designing jewelry in my free time, and I am very passionate about it. I might even try to turn it into a career.

Person D

I worked for a company for six years and made some incredible bonds with my colleagues. What started off as an occasional after work happy hour outing to celebrate the end of the week turned into life-long friendships. I think that is common when you work in such a stressful environment. The salary was quite generous, so I didn’t mind the long hours at the time. That being said, I quit when I got married. I can’t imagine having a family under those working conditions. I now work for a different firm, but I still see all of my old coworkers regularly.