The other day, I was with my mum. We started talking about how much things have changed when it comes to work-life balance and “how good we have it these days”. My mum worked full-time while raising kids through the 80s, 90s, and early 00s, a time when flexibility at work was practically non-existent. My parents were never the ones present at school assemblies or watching me in my lime green matching Lycra running outfit at sports days (yes – I felt cool in that thing… and very quick!)
Taking time off for family wasn’t a request—it was a battle. One story always stands out: when my brother needed surgery at age four, my mum had to fight tooth and nail just to be there for him. The message was clear: work came first, no matter the circumstances. For her generation, that was just the reality.
Fast forward to today, and as a working parent myself, the idea of being told I couldn’t take time off for my child feels unthinkable. But how did we get here? Was it a shift in leadership, changing employee expectations, or the rise of remote work? And while we’ve made progress, do all workplaces truly support balance, or is it still more of a privilege than a given?
In this blog, I explore how work-life balance has evolved, the key forces driving change, and why some professionals still feel stuck. If you’ve ever questioned whether true balance is possible, or struggled to find it, this one’s for you.
What’s Changed?
I hear a mix of perspectives when I talk to people about this topic today. Some believe it’s the result of employees demanding better. Others point to technological advancements that make flexibility possible. And many credit a cultural shift, one where personal lives are no longer considered separate from work.
In my mum’s day, work-life balance wasn’t even part of the conversation. If you weren’t physically in the office, you weren’t working. Today, tools like Slack, Teams, and project management platforms allow us to work from virtually anywhere. Remote work has gone from a rarity to a standard option in many industries.
Generational attitudes have played a significant role, too. Millennials and Gen Z, now major parts of the workforce, value flexibility, purpose, and well-being over rigid schedules and hierarchies. They’re not afraid to push back on outdated norms. Meanwhile, mental health advocacy and awareness around burnout have become mainstream, making it harder for employers to ignore the importance of balance.
Government policies and organisational changes have also helped. In many places, stronger parental leave policies, caregiver leave, and anti-discrimination laws have set a baseline expectation for accommodating family needs.
What I’m Hearing From Others
Despite all this progress, I still have conversations with candidates who feel stuck. They describe the guilt of juggling work and family, feeling like they’re failing at both. Some say they’ve had to put their careers on hold because maintaining the juggle is just too hard.
Many tell me that the key difference lies in their workplace culture. Policies might be in place, but they’re meaningless without genuine support from leaders and colleagues. It’s the organisations that truly value life outside of work – not just on paper, but in practice – that make the biggest impact.
How Leadership Has Evolved
A lot of today’s leaders grew up in rigid workplaces themselves and are determined to do better. Empathy has become a core part of leadership, not just because it’s the right thing to do but because it’s good for business. Employees who feel supported and valued are more productive and more likely to stick around.
Even so, we’re not there – yet. Cultural change take time. For many, the balance between work and family is still a struggle, especially in environments where the old “hustle culture” mindset lingers and movements like “quiet quitting” are fuelled; employees do their jobs but refuse to overextend themselves for organisations that don’t reciprocate.
How to Find Balance
For me, finding balance has been possible because I’ve had the privilege of working in supportive environments. My employer understands that I’m all in when I’m at work—but when my child needs me, I’m there. That trust and flexibility means I bring my best self to both parts of my life.
When I hear about people struggling, my advice is simple: look for an organisation that truly values balance. They exist, I promise. It might take some searching, but there are workplaces out there where you don’t have to choose between being present at work and present for your family.
The Path Forward
Reflecting on my mum’s experience makes me deeply grateful for how far we’ve come. Stories like hers – having to fight for the bare minimum – shouldn’t still exist. And while we’ve made progress, there’s still work to do.
It’s up to both employees and leaders to keep building workplaces where balance is possible. When your child looks out into the crowd at their sports day (maybe rocking their own version of a lime green Lycra speed suit), they should see their biggest cheerleader front and centre. Because you can and should have both a fulfilling career and a family life that doesn’t feel like a constant compromise.
Looking for your next role to help you manage the juggle and find balance? Get in touch with Sarah, or click here to view our latest jobs.
