Finding that work-life balance is tough, but achievable, for women in business, says Raeesa Bayat. [Picture: Raeesa Bayat via LinkedIn]
Striking that work-life balance is demanding enough for anyone in the corporate space. However, for women in business, societal expectations continue to add another dimension to the pressure.
Finding that work-life balance is something that women in business might find difficult to cultivate, but is very much possible if tackled through “prioritisation and time management”, says Raeesa Bayat, corporate relationship manager at Al Baraka Bank.
She spoke to Julie Allie in an interview acknowledging the efforts of women in business this Womens’ Month. Asked about a work-life balance, she said: “I often feel like that doesn’t really exist”.
“It definitely comes with those challenges, in terms of managing your time and being able to juggle everything,” says the wife to a devoted husband and the mother of two children.
Although balance can look very different to each person, for her it was about “being able to work an 8-5 job as well as still partake in hobbies, go to gym, be active and take care, and then make time for my kids and husband”.
Achieving an equilibrium between work and personal life, a concept first introduced by American psychologist and industrial engineer Lillian Moller Gilbreth, is almost like an evasive ideal to many people.
Bayat credited her “supportive and willing” family and friends for their role in helping her achieve her goals. However, she said, women in business ought also to reach out to other females and be there for each other.
“It’s important to have that sort of community where you can bounce off ideas, share ideas and get the help that you need and get advice from other senior women and other leaders within corporates and organisations as to how they manage their time and [how] they manage their workload and that work-life balance.”
