Negative Labor Practices as a Cause of the «Work – Life» Imbalance among Employees

The article analyzes the relationship between negative labor practices and assessments of the "work – life" balance among employees. The theoretical basis of this research is formed by theories of social practices and the concept of work-life balance. It also includes conclusions about the relationship between employment and other aspects of life for different groups of the working population, as presented in relevant publications. The empirical basis is data from surveys conducted in Bashkortostan in 2020 and 2024. The object of the study is employees over the age of 18. The aim is to show the dynamics of the prevalence of negative labor practices of employees and employers; to establish the sustainability of their influence on employees' perception of life as unbalanced. The results of the study demonstrate the wide scale and sustainability of negative practices used by employees in the workplace. Employees often spend a considerable amount of time at the office, carrying out their duties over the weekend and during their leisure time at home. They continue working despite illness, without seeking medical assistance, and perform their duties until full recovery. The negative practices of employers, which, according to surveys, tendto expand, also reduce the quality of employment. These practices include delays in wage payments, incomplete payments, non-payment of overtime, and other issues. Enterprises that do not provide social guarantees and social assistance measures continue to operate. The policies of employers and the work behavior of employees represent one of the factors contributing to the perception that employees cannot achieve a harmonious balance between their work and personal lives. When employees deviated from their scheduled work hours, failed to adhere to work-life balance policies, or neglected their health due to work-related demands, they were more likely to express dissatisfaction with their inability to reconcile work and personal commitments. Employers' practices regarding remuneration, vacation rights, and working hours also create a sense of imbalance between work and personal life.