Is work-life integration right for you?

Everyone works to find equilibrium in their work and home life, and everyone understands how difficult it is to strike a balance and adhere to it. I’ve had the privilege of being in the eDiscovery industry for 30 years and managing an engaging career with a thriving personal life has been a challenge.

Everyone approaches work differently. Some professionals strive to adhere to the traditional concept of work-life balance, while others, like myself, believe in work-life integration. It’s an important distinction.

As a Business Development Manager for iDS, I am responsible for all aspects of business development and maintaining client relationships around the world. Every day I’m making calls, assessing needs, strategizing for the future of eDiscovery, and discovering how we can leverage data as an asset – not a liability. I am proactive and client-focused, but I still manage to have a rich, full life filled with family and travel.

Work-life integration allows me to excel in my career without missing out on life experiences with the people I love. Will it work for you too?

What is Work-Life Integration?

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, work-life integration “is centered on the belief that there is no distinction between the two and that both must coexist in harmony.”

Work-life integration gained traction when employees began working remotely. Now that many offices have adapted to hybrid working – or shuttered their brick-and-mortar spaces altogether – work-life integration is becoming more and more popular. 

How Does Work-Life Integration Work?

Basically, work-life integration combines all your responsibilities together instead of compartmentalizing them by time. This can mean doing laundry while you work at your desk at home or handling a personal matter in the morning but starting and finishing your work later than a 9-5 schedule permits.

I am a wife of 26 years and mother of two very busy young adults. My son Jaxon is a senior in high school and my daughter Kennedy is a sophomore at James Madison University – Go Dukes! My career in the legal industry started before I became a wife or a mother. Throughout their young lives and into their teenage years, utilizing work-life integration has helped me to scoot out to lunch at the elementary school, bring my kids to practice, and be there for dance, theatre, and play-offs. Our menagerie of animals appreciates a quick afternoon walk between calls, and maybe even a mid-day treat. With work-life integration, I don’t have to miss out on all the things that make life worth living.

What is the Biggest Advantage of Work-Life Integration?

For employees, the biggest advantage of work-life integration is flexibility. For employers, the biggest advantage is an increase in satisfaction from their employees.

Work-life integration allows employees to coordinate their schedules, responsibilities, and personal time in a mutually beneficial way for their employers. Employees don’t have to feel like they only have so many hours in the day for their work or home lives, and knowing their employers trust them to do their best work on their schedules develops trust and respect between the two parties.

Work-Life Integration with iDS

I’m grateful for the flexibility iDS gives our team. Some of my colleagues are stateside, while others are across the pond. Work-life integration allows me to take a break to chat with my husband if I need to ­– and to shoot a quick email to London if they need it – without feeling constrained by a 9-5 schedule.

My career has given me a front-row seat to see the evolution and future of eDiscovery. The responsibilities I face daily are a challenge, but that’s what we love about what we do: it’s a challenge. Every day there are new problems to solve, and work-life integration can help you solve them.

iDS provides consultative data solutions to corporations and law firms around the world, giving them a decisive advantage – both in and out of the courtroom. Our subject matter experts and data strategists specialize in finding solutions to complex data problems – ensuring data can be leveraged as an asset and not a liability.