How Does Canada Measure Up in Work-Life Balance Compared to Other Nations?

Achieving the ideal work-life balance can be challenging, particularly in today’s economic climate, yet Canadians seem to have found a successful formula.

A recent survey by the global human resources firm Remote places Canada 5th in the Global Life-Work Index, which evaluates 60 countries. This positions Canada well ahead of the United States, which is ranked 55th.

Christian Cook, a professor of human resources at Mount Royal University, suggests that work-life balance might be more of a personal experience than a standardized concept. According to Cook, the idea of balance is subjective, varying greatly depending on individual jobs and workplaces.

“People often focus on the number of hours worked,” Cook explains. “They might think that being able to complete their 40-hour workweek flexibly means they have achieved balance.”

However, she adds that this flexibility might not necessarily equate to true work-life balance.

Some residents of Calgary share with CityNews that they have found effective ways to balance their work and personal lives, such as working in fields with flexible schedules, mastering time management, or having grown children.

Cook suggests that employers can support their staff in maintaining these boundaries by adopting a more empathetic approach.

The survey highlights Canada’s high ranking, attributing it to shorter average workweeks compared to other countries and a reputation for safety and inclusivity, including being supportive of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

According to the report, “Canadians surpass their U.S. counterparts in work attitudes, with Canadian work culture being notably professional yet inclusive.”

Canada was ranked 9th in the same index in 2023.

The top 10 countries for work-life balance as per the survey are:

• New Zealand
• Ireland
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Canada
• Germany
• Finland
• Australia
• Norway
• Spain