Revisiting the Work–Life Balance through Workaholism and Work Engagement Concepts: A Theoretical Perspective

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 16, 1 - 11, 31.08.2025

Can Biçer

https://doi.org/10.55775/ijemi.1446751

Abstract

This conceptual research paper discusses the work-life balance (WLB) within the context of work engagement and workaholism. WLB has always taken the attention of researchers, Human Resource (HR) professionals, managers, employers, organizations and trade unions. This extensive attention is due to its reflection on all aspects of both business and society because good WLB, which also means a fulfilled life inside and outside paid work, provides mutual benefit for the individual, business, and society as well. However, workaholism, which also defines work-life imbalance, is the extreme level of work engagement and has negative effects on both individual and the workplace culture. Indeed, work engagement is defined as a positive, affective, motivational mood of increased energy associated with higher levels of dedication and strong focus on work. However, it is also important for WLB because engaged employees can prioritize work-life balance and can disconnect from work during their off-hours. To sum up, this study focuses on to provide a conceptual framework on WLB from the point of work engagement and workaholism and offers solutions to both employees and executives to gain new perspective in order to tackle with the problems which are originated from poor WLB.

Keywords

Work-life balance , workaholism , work engagement

İşkoliklik ve İşe Bağlılık Kavramları Bağlamında İş-Yaşam Dengesinin İncelenmesi: Teorik Bir Perspektif

Abstract

Özet
Bu kavramsal araştırma makalesi, işe bağlılık ve işkoliklik bağlamında iş-yaşam dengesini (İYD) tartışmaktadır. İYD her zaman araştırmacıların, İnsan Kaynakları (İK) uzmanlarının, yöneticilerin, işverenlerin, örgütlerin ve sendikaların dikkatini çekmiştir. Bu yoğun ilgi hem iş dünyasının hem de toplumun tüm yönlerine yansımasından kaynaklanmaktadır; çünkü aynı zamanda ücretli iş içinde ve dışında tatmin edici bir yaşam anlamına gelen iyi İYD, bireye, iş dünyasına ve topluma da karşılıklı fayda sağlar. Ancak iş-yaşam dengesizliğini de tanımlayan işkoliklik, işe bağlılığın aşırı düzeyidir ve hem bireysel hem de işyeri kültürü üzerinde olumsuz etkileri vardır. Gerçekten de işe bağlılık, daha yüksek düzeyde adanmışlık ve işe güçlü odaklanma ile ilişkili artan enerjinin olduğu olumlu, duygusal, motivasyonel bir ruh hali olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Ancak, İYD için de önemlidir çünkü işine bağlı çalışanlar İYD’ ne öncelik verebilir ve mesai saatleri dışında işten uzak kalabilirler. Özetle bu çalışma, İYD' ye işe bağlılık ve işkoliklik açısından kavramsal bir çerçeve sağlamaya odaklanmakta ve yetersiz kaynaklanan sorunların üstesinden gelmek için hem çalışanlara hem de yöneticilere yeni bakış açısı kazandıracak çözümler sunmaktadır.

Keywords

İş-yaşam dengesi , İşkoliklik , İşe tutkunluk

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