Actual Conditions of Work-Life Balance and Required Supports of Improvement of Work Environment on Faculty Members

Abstract

This study revealed the actual conditions of work-life balance (WLB) and the support required for improving the work environment of faculty members engaged in various types of work such as education, research, and university operations under the discretionary labor system. A survey was conducted among the faculty members of three universities. The results obtained indicate the following: Faculty members tend to be more satisfied with their WLB than general workers and experience occupational stress due to obstruction of their research activities; specifically, such obstruction includes suspension of independent research and less time for research due to life events, other tasks, and adverse effects caused by the lack of support for people around faculty members who receive support. In addition, worry over the amount of workload results in negative attitudes toward promotion to a senior position, and women, especially, are reluctant to get promoted due to gender bias.