Achieving true work-life balance when you work in the tech world is a challenge for many professionals, but for women in tech who are often juggling career and family responsibilities while simultaneously navigating the "always on" industry culture, it can particularly stressful. Individuals shouldn't be alone in their search for balance; companies play a huge role in making healthy work-life balance possible by embracing flexibility, supporting self-care, and creating a culture that values employee well-being.
As part of our on-going series about Women-Led Innovation in Tech, we're diving into the realities of achieving work-life balance, sharing tips for working moms in tech (and all caregivers!), exploring how flexible work arrangements in the tech industry make a positive difference, and talking about what organizations can do to make things better, increasing the likelihood of retaining talented employees.
The Myth of the "Superwoman" and Why Individual Strategies Aren't Enough
There's an outdated idea that women should be able to "do it all." This societal expectation is beyond outdated: it's patently unfair. When work-life balanced is framed as a personal responsibility, it places undue burden on the individual, and ignores the bigger issues that make achieving that elusive balance so difficult, such as demanding workloads, lack of flexibility, and outdated expectations both at work and at home.
Some key challenges include:
- Heavy Workloads - High pressure environments and tight deadlines make it tough to unplug.
- Rigid Work Hours - Many companies still adhere to traditional scheduled instead of prioritizing results over hours worked.
- Toxic Hustle Culture - The expectation to be "on" all the time can lead to burnout.
- Limited Childcare Support - The cost and availability of quality childcare for working parents are major hurdles to healthy work-life balance.
- Gender Bias - Women are still expected to handle the majority of caregiving and household responsibilities.
Individual Strategies: What You Can Control
While companies need to step up and assess their policies, there are things individuals can do to create better boundaries, prioritize self-care, and make work-life balance more manageable. Here are a few key strategies:
Set Boundaries and Stick to Them
- Clearly define your work hours and communicate them to your team.
- Turn off notifications when you're off the clock.
- Schedule "focus time" at minimize distractions.
- Create a start-and-top ritual to mentally transition between your working life and personal life.
Prioritize What Matters
- Use the Eisenhower Matrix Opens in new tab. to figure out what's urgent vs. what's important.
- Block time on your schedule for deep work and personal time.
- "No" is a complete sentence! Get comfortable saying 'no' to non-essential tasks.
Use Technology Wisely
Make Self Care a Priority
- Physical Health - Get plenty of sleep, eat well, and get some exercise.
- Mental Well-Being - Practice mindfulness, meditation Opens in new tab., or other stress-reducing habits.
- Social Support - Connection is key! Stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues.
- Personal Growth - Keep some space in your schedule for hobbies, creative endeavors, and interests outside work.
Build a Support System
- Network with other women in tech for advice and encouragement.
- Seek out a mentor to help navigate career goals and challenges.
- Lean on friends, family, and professional groups for support.
Speak Up For Change
- Discuss flexible work options with your manager.
- Participate in employee resource groups advocating for better policies.
- Encourage leadership to support family-friendly initiatives.
Organizational Strategies: How Companies Can Support Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance isn't simply a matter of individual choices - company culture plays a huge role. Set the bar by communicating that you trust them to do their best work. Here's what businesses can do to make a real difference:
Offer Flexible Work Options
- Remote Work - Support full-time or hybrid remote schedules.
- Flexible Hours - Let employees adjust their start and end times.
- Compressed Workweeks - Allow four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days.
- Job Sharing - Allow two employees to share the responsibilities of one role.
| People-First From the Start: All of EventBuilder's employees are remote-only! The company has had a distributed workforce since it's inception in the early 2000's |
Focus on Results, Not Hours
- Evaluate employees based on output and results, not time spent at their desks.
- Adopt a "this could be an email" mindset: reduce unnecessary meetings and encourage asynchronous communication.
Encourage Time Off
- Offer generous paid time off (PTO).
- Actively encourage your employees to use their vacation and sick/wellness leave.
- Provide paid leave and transition support for returning parents.
- Offer childcare assistance or subsidies.
- Foster an inclusive culture that acknowledges caregiving challenges.
Lead By Example
- Leaders and managers should model work-life balance policies by setting boundaries themselves.
Continuously Improve Work Policies
- Review and update work-life balance policies based on employee feedback regularly.
Tips For Working Moms and Caregivers in Tech
Balancing career and family in the tech field is tough, but these tips can help:
- Find reliable childcare for peace of mind.
- Don't chase perfect! Set realistic expectations and give yourself grace.
- Keep a shared family calendar to stay organized.
- Be open about your needs with your employer.
- Connect with other working parents for advice and support.
- Let tech be your friend! Online grocery orders, curbside pickup, scheduling apps, and other helper tech can save you time and stress.
- Ask for help. That can be hard in a culture that tells women they can "have it all," but you can't have it all AND do it all simultaneously. That's ok. Seek assistance from your partner, friends, family, and/or professional services.
How AI Can Help You Work Smarter
Unless you've been stranded on a desert island, you're likely hearing about all the ways AI can help you. Listen, we were a little skeptical, too. However, once we decided to embrace the tech, we're finding it a big help in completing certain tasks. Here are a few ways to leverage AI to help bring you closer to a healthy work-life balance:
- Smart Scheduling - AI-powered calendars optimize meeting times and block focus periods.
- Email Management - AI filters important messages and helps you draft quick responses.
- Task Management - AI-powered to-do lists help prioritize (a big one for me, personally!) and track progress.
- Meeting Summaries - AI tools generate summaries, key takeaways, and action items from meetings.
| AI Prompt Suggestion: "Here is what I need to get done today: [list tasks]. Organize my day into a focused, time-blocked plan that reduces overwhelm and increases completion." |
How EventBuilder Supports a Healthy Work-Life Balance
This is an area where we shine. Our all-female C-Suite, Lauren Meyer Opens in new tab., Renee Conlee, Opens in new tab. and Robin Houser,Opens in new tab. set out to make work-life balance a priority for their employees, and create products and services that help our customers do the same. Through our technology, we offer:
- Remote-Friendly Solutions - Our virtual event platform and event management services support flexible work and remote participation.
- On-Demand Content - Watch recorded webinars and training sessions anytime, and access supporting materials from a central content hub.
- Better Communication - Built-in engagement tools promote live, in-session discussions and conversation - reduce email load!
- Career Growth Without Burnout - Attend industry events without sacrificing personal time.
Work-Life Balance Needs a Culture Shift
Achieving a healthy work-life balance isn't just about personal hacks - it's about systemic change. When organizations step up and create workplaces where employees can thrive in both their professional and personal lives, we all reap the benefits! Burnout from a crushing pace is a reality, and all employees deserve work environments that support them as whole people - with flexibility, a focus on well-being, and long-term career success. EventBuilder is committed to setting an example of what's possible for work-life balance and be part of shaping a tech industry that values both innovation and well-being.
Ready to take the next step? Explore our software and world-class event management services, attend our events Opens in new tab., or connect with us to see how we can help you lighten your load and make your events stand out!