Work Life Balance in Buenos Aires

All around the globe, 2021 has more or less become the year of regeneration after Covid ravaged nations in 2020. As vaccines begin to roll out, many nations have returned to working in the office, attending class in the classroom, and allowing recreational activities to continue. One challenge presented by the pandemic was a shifted focus on the topic of work-life balance.

Work-life balance is an important aspect of a healthy work environment. Maintaining work-life balance helps reduce stress and helps prevent burnout in the workplace.

The above quote by Forbes emphasizes the need for work-life balance. Much of today's workforce has begun to search for and require moderation, creating a balance between time spent in and away from the workplace. Compared to previous generations, this balance has become an increasingly important factor in the realm of job searching. The Covid-19 pandemic has only heightened this phenomenon, because as people begin returning to two-year-old habits, many workers have begun seeking a new balance.

It was very hard to be for a year and a half without being able to go out to the recreation centre to dance.

The quotes above and below, from an article by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, show the restlessness created by quarantine.

Sometimes during the quarantine at home we would dance to try to improve our spirits.

With lack of recreational areas available during lockdown, many attempted to find engaging activities at home. In some areas, parks and public outdoor spaces were available. Others had to get more creative.

Certain areas are known for poor work-life balancing. With long hours and less access to recreational activities, these cities and nations create a work environment less welcoming for those coming out of the pandemic and back into the workforce.

The CEO Magazine reports that Buenos Aires, Argentina has the third lowest work-life balance rating out of the 50 areas studied.

The most overworked employees were found in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Buenos Aires.

However, the work environment is improving for Argentinians. Some companies and corporations, provide benefits in order to improve this quality of work. The Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) has introduced different methods of working, which may be offered at their international branches.

The three options available (Remote work, flexible work, and mobility) offer all ranges of choices, which allow working from home 20 to 100 percent of the working day. The employees with special health conditions or mothers who recently gave birth can also work from home in BBVA Argentina and BBVA Uruguay.

Coming out of the pandemic, where online work was encouraged–if not mandatory, many Argentinian workers find the hours commuting, working in rigid schedules, and limitation of freedom unappealing.

The map above shows the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, overlaid by the area's Purchasing Power Index per Capita. Darker blue areas boast a higher index. Zooming in once, the recreational areas are shown: parks and pitches, pools, playgrounds, and more are offered to the residents of the city.

Looking around the area, many of the recreational areas reside in areas with a higher PPI. This could be result of the rising consciousness of companies towards their workers' desires. In my opinion based on this data, a higher allowance of free time could be beneficial for companies and their employees. With more time to recharge, employees will come back to work more productive than ever before.

Author Unknown. After months in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, a weary world is ready to dance. Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 21 October 2021. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-22/after-months-in-lockdown-a-weary-world-is-ready-to-dance/100551420. Accessed 23 October 2021.

Author Unknown. Work life balance, more important than ever. BBVA, 23 June 2021. https://www.bbva.com/en/work-life-balance-more-important-than-ever/. Accessed 23 October 2021.

Johnson, Holly. These cities have the healthiest work–life balance in 2019. The CEO Magazine, 08 August 2019. https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/health-wellbeing/cities-work-life-balance-2019/. Accessed 23 October 2021.

Kohll, Alan. The Evolving Definition Of Work-Life Balance. Forbes, 27 March 2018. https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2018/03/27/the-evolving-definition-of-work-life-balance/?sh=7e8d5f459ed3. Accessed 23 October 2021.