Mumbai: Work-life balance is a pipe dream for employees in India. Working overtime under work load pressure is principal road block for achieving Work-life balance. A new TimesJobs study revealed that nearly 40% of both male and female employees put in around 10-12 hours in a regular day at work. Further, more than 70% male employees also do overtime at work as compared to 40% female employees.

Of the 70% male employees who put in extra time at work 50% do it every day, 30% do it on alternate days and just 20% do it twice a week. Though more male employees put in extra hours at work more frequently, the level of displeasure in doing overtime is almost equal for both genders. On a negative side, 60% male and 70% female employees are not happy putting in extra hours at work.

“While there has been a significant shift in evaluating performance based on productivity, this TimesJobs study confirms that perceived gender differences still exist. However, this is more of a mindset issue, than an actual difference in job performance. Even if women do not spend as many hours in the workplace, their productivity and output is equal, if not greater in some cases, than that of men today. This is increasingly being recognized in India Inc.” says Nilanjan Roy, Head of Strategy, Times Business Solutions.

Interestingly, female employees are more open to the idea of working during holidays and vacations with 55% female employees saying they have no issues doing office work while holidaying as opposed to just 30% male employees agreeing to do so.

Work-life balance holds great significance for both male and female employees as almost 70% male and 60% female employees clearly state they will not trade a good work-life balance for a better pay package.

On the question of happiness with their current balance, 65% female employees say they are happy with their current work-life balance while only 40% male employees say they are happy with their current work-life situation.

While openly revealing matters related to job-search, salaries and increments are still regarded as taboos at workplace. TimesJobs reveals that these matters are often more forbidding for female employees, as 70% male employees are happy to disclose to their colleagues if they are looking out for a job change while 70% female employees are averse to the idea.

Also, 60% male employees would comfortably disclose their salary package among their peers, while 70% female employees would not as they feel embarrassed and others will feel jealous or unhappy making comparisons.