‘HOLIDAYS ARE HOLIDAYS, RIGHT? ‘BRAZILIAN LECTURERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIVES

Abstract

The work-life balance in higher education has been extensively studied but understanding of the academic work culture in the Global South, specifically in Brazil, is limited. This article explores Brazilian lecturers' perceptions of the interface between professional and personal life. Drawing on 516 responses to a questionnaire about using non-work time for academic tasks, and referencing the philosopher Byung-Chul Han and sociologist Lewis Coser, five key themes are generated which make a valuable contribution to this gap: complexity of tasks and environments, excessive dedication, strategies of adaptation, costs of adaptation, and strategies of resistance. Academics in Brazil grapple with intricate workloads in environments that often don't bolster their efforts, resulting in blurred boundaries between their professional and personal lives. Some view their roles with a vocational passion or derive pleasure from their tasks, while others are besieged by their professional demands. This dedication can lead to guilt, affecting both personal relationships and wellbeing. To navigate these challenges, many adopt rigorous planning, yet the perpetual encroachment of work responsibilities can induce exhaustion, stress, and health complications. A segment of academics, influenced by significant life events, resort to strategies emphasizing the delineation between work and leisure, often treating holidays as sacrosanct periods of rest. This study underscores the need for self-awareness and individualized strategies to manage work overload. and calls for a broader challenge to the prevalent culture of productivism in academia and its ramifications on university life. Underpinning the discussion, is the “Health promoting universities” as a possibility for future changes and health promotion for all academic community.