Work-life balance in neoliberal discourse: A sociological analysis on white collar workers

This research critically discusses the "work-life balance" discourse of the neoliberal flexible regime through the experiences of white-collar workers. This sociological discussion is carried out by examining the discourses that dominate working life today, entrepreneurial self and the dimensions of life balance in white-collar workers. Within the framework of the research problem, the meaning of work for white-collar workers, employer-employee expectations, career narrative, emotions, the impact of working life on long-term planning, workers' control over their own lives, their visions of the future, and the concepts of working hours, rest and flexibility are examined in depth. The data of the study were obtained from in-depth interviews with 14 white-collar workers who have at least five years of working experience in different branches of the private sector, are still working in a company, live in Istanbul and are not senior managers. The findings of this research conducted with a poststructuralist approach show that work is positioned as an area of action identified with life itself. Today's working life is shaped by discourses of risk, competition, development, and opportunity. These discourses prioritize human skills rather than accumulation of knowledge in working life, and flexibility is at the forefront of these skills. While flexibility is seen by the company-employer as a tool for high performance, micro-management of time and efficiency, it leads to the construction of an entrepreneurial self in white-collar workers. The short-term approaches created by the uncertainty and insecurity that dominate the private sector are now becoming life strategies not only for companies but also for individuals. Working hours are becoming increasingly uncertain, the boundaries of the concept of "work" and job descriptions are becoming vague, and white-collar workers are having difficulty establishing life balance. It is seen that the difficulties experienced in establishing balance are closely related to the conditions under which white-collar employees work rather than their professions (jobs). Therefore, this research has created the need to propose a conceptual change to the Turkish work-life balance literature. When the Turkish literature is examined, it is seen that the phrase "work-life balance" is used as "iş-yaşam dengesi". In this research, it is suggested that the phrase "çalışma-yaşam dengesi" be used instead of "iş-yaşam dengesi".