The work-life dilemma

By Herman M. Lagon

Ask many Filipino workers about work-life balance and you will receive a weary smile. With heavy hours, family duties and the continual strain to make ends meet, there’s frequently little time left for themselves. Our country is second to last among 60 countries on the Global Life-Work Balance Index 2024, behind Nigeria. The country’s poor performance in work-life balance tells volumes about the continuous struggle our workers—especially women and underprivileged sectors—face, given workers average 40.63 hours a week and earn only P83 per hour.

Think of Filipino women who are already juggling the two roles of engaged professionals and main caregivers. The 2024 survey found that six in ten working women are struggling to balance family duties and employment. The work-life balance is further exacerbated by society’s expectation that women undertake domestic tasks while working full time. For underprivileged women—including those from lower-income homes—where juggling job, family, and personal time is not only a challenge but also a constant struggle for survival, this conundrum gets even more urgent.

Those in low-paying occupations especially have this problem magnified. Though we are a significant part of the world’s workforce—especially thanks to its Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)—back home is dire. Talk to many workers and you will hear the same story. They are tired. The issue is not laziness. It is that many workers are running faster each year just to stay in the same place. As living costs rise, the gap between effort and reward becomes harder to ignore.

For some groups, the challenge is even more pronounced. Informal workers face uncertainty almost daily, while many LGBTQ+ individuals still encounter barriers and prejudice at work. Their struggle is not only economic. It is also deeply personal. Their professional careers and personal lives suffer more in many places where their rights are not formally acknowledged. With little to no space for following personal interests or family time, these usually cause a reduced quality of life.

The challenge is not simply finding time. It is finding enough energy to be present after work is done. Too many people end their day running on empty.

Recent data offer some encouragement. In 2026, the Philippines improved to 45th out of 60 countries in global work-life balance rankings. While the country still lags behind many nations, the upward movement is a reminder that change can happen.

One simple solution is flexibility. The pandemic taught us that work can often be done well from anywhere. For many mothers, that means fewer sacrifices and more time for family.

Many struggles are invisible. Some workers face discrimination. Others quietly battle stress, anxiety, or exhaustion. Inclusive and compassionate workplaces can make a meaningful difference in their lives. Better mental health services and healthcare benefits are not luxuries. They are investments in people and in the long-term success of organizations.

Lower-income workers also deserve better pay and compensation for their efforts. The abysmal minimum pay in our country drives workers to work more hours simply to make ends meet, contributing to the life-work disparity. Promoting fair compensation will help the nation guarantee that employees may balance their personal and professional lives more successfully. Apart from enhancing worker benefits, especially for sectors with high turnover rates, our government must enforce stricter rules on pay criteria.

From a more general standpoint, work-life balance also means creating a society that values personal life alongside professional achievement. Our culture values family and “bayanihan,” but how can we connect when work drains us? More family time reduces stress, enhances well-being, and generates a more environmentally friendly workplace.

The primary concerns are personal happiness and the knowledge that every employee from all backgrounds deserves time for mental health, family, and personal development. A better workforce leads to greater production and wealth. Helping staff members is about giving them the tools and security they need to flourish, not only about time off.

Work-life balance should not be something people have to earn after years of sacrifice. It should be something every worker can reasonably expect. The future of work should not be defined by exhaustion. It should be defined by opportunity, well-being, and balance. Filipinos deserve workplaces that allow them not only to earn a living but also to enjoy the life they are working for.

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Doc H fondly describes himself as a ”student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.