KEY POINTS:
If you're stressed, perhaps you need to learn to be a little more selfish.
Between work meetings, maybe you could duck away and catch a movie. On a self-approved extended lunch hour, read a decent chunk of your book. Or just take some unpaid leave and indulge yourself.
It may take a bit of convincing, but in the long run doing it for yourself is likely to benefit everyone - your partner, your children, and even your boss. That's according to University of Waikato senior lecturer Jarrod Haar, who has completed a study of 203 government workers in a range of occupations.
A specialist in work-family conflict, he found stress in individual workers was not linked to age, gender, number of children, socio economic status, education, or the town in which you lived.
There were, however, some important issues for employers to consider, he said. Organisations that attempted to address the work-life imbalances of employees by providing, for example, subsidies for childcare services were unlikely to succeed in reducing workers' sense of conflict or stress.
Dr Haar's research suggested the employer was far more likely to succeed by allowing staff to take longer lunches or unpaid leave.
Ironically, people who attempted to simplify their lives by using domestic services, such as cleaners or lawnmowers, were singled out as a group that suffered significantly more conflict between work and family life, Dr Haar said.
His research did not explore the characteristics of individuals who tended to suffer more stress compared to those who did not. But he said the best remedy for stress was to take time to focus on activities in which you could "chill out".
"When thinking about the kids, inlaws, or parents, we should not neglect ourselves. I guess it's a bit provocative, but golfers really do have the perfect case for taking time out. They're enjoying something for themselves and they will come back to the family and work environment all the better for it."
Ways to avoid work-family conflict
* Take a long lunch hour during the working week to unwind from your job and home life.
* Occasionally treat yourself to the latest magazine or movie, or visit a hairdresser or massage therapist.
* Consider your partner's needs. Take control of the children for the day or an afternoon.
* Go for a walk in the sun, or other exercise in fresh air.
* From time to time take yourself out of the work and family environment. Plan a day or two away from your home town.
