Where Life Ranks First: Countries Setting The Standard For Work-Life Balance In 2024

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Most of us have learnt this saying in school - 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy'. Despite this, school had us carry heavy bags filled with dozens of books, toil us with extra hours of classes and never-ending assignments. In short, in the pursuit of academic success, we often sacrificed half our life and well-being all along the way. The best part is or shall I say the worst part is, it doesn't end there! The soon as we complete our academics, we are expected to prove our worth in the work front as well.

Once we sit at our cubicle, we are set for a race. A race to achieve success, to complete the task in hand, to grow in our career and impress our seniors. It's not a bad thing at all, one should have clear-cut goals in life and strive towards it. But there is something called balance in life, that's what everyone forgets about. If we are not healthy both mentally and physically, how are we going to offer fruitful outputs to the organisation we work in?

The unfortunate demise of EY employee Anna Sebastian Perayil recently sparked a debate on toxic work-life and work culture. In that aspect, let's shed light on the top 3 countries in the world (according to the Remote Index) that embrace a great work life balance in 2024.

1) New Zealand - According to Remote, New Zealand retains its top spot since last year when it comes to work-life balance. Known as one of the safest countries to live and work at, people here are known for their determined mindset, open communication, and a strong sense of self-reliance.

They enjoy a laid-back work culture where they are entitled to an annual leave of 32 days, a statutory sick pay percentage of 80, minimum wage of 16.1% and paid maternity leave of 26 weeks with a happiness index of 7 leading to a total index score of 80.76/100.

2) Ireland - The Emerald Isle, Ireland grabs the second position in the list, doing pretty well in almost all the metrics that Remote has analysed.This safe country provides one of the highest minimum wages among those listed, complemented by a universal government-funded healthcare system, much like New Zealand and other countries in the list. The highlight of the Irish work culture is that one gets to work with locals that are welcoming, approachable and casual.

The Irish who prioritize family values and socialization are entitled to an annual leave of 30 days, statutory sick pay percentage of 70, paid maternity leave of 26 weeks, minimum wage of 13.96%, scoring a happiness index of 6 that leads to an index score of 77.89/100.

3) Belgium - Partly because of an update in its health policies, Belgium marks a spot at top 3. Though they are known to be below average in social connections they immensely value leisure time. Here workers dedicate 65% of their day to recreation activities and personal care.

As Belgium places great importance on policies that promote flexibility, supporting families, and guaranteeing leisure time for all its citizens they are entitled to an annual leave of 30 days, minimum sick pay percentage of 100, paid maternity leave of 15 weeks, minimum wage of 12.15, scoring a happiness index of 6 that leads to an index score of 73.45/100.

So where does India come in this list? Apparently according to Remote, the country ranks 48 with an annual leave of 35 days, sick pay of 50%, paid maternity leave of 12 weeks, minimum wage of 0.27%, with a happiness index of 4 that leads to a total index score of 38.83/100.

As studies indicate that prolonged work hours adversely affect health and increase stress levels, this score itself is proof enough of how much Indian work culture must improve in terms of work-life balance.

Note this, a day has 24 hours, set aside time for yourself and your loved ones along with your work. On the other hand, all work organizations should actively develop and implement policies that prioritize the well-being and betterment of their employees. By fostering a supportive work environment, this can not only enhance employee satisfaction and productivity but also contribute to a healthy work culture at the workplace.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.