The recent Apple TV+ series Severance has sparked heated debates about the boundaries between work and personal life. As workers struggle with the blurred lines between the two, a question remains: do we crave clarity or flexibility?
In Severance, fictional employees undergo a procedure to split their consciousness into two: the Innie (work self) and the Outie (personal self). The central character, Mark, uses this unique condition to escape his grief. However, fans and critics welcome the show’s return, highlighting its timely commentary on the post-pandemic work landscape.
The Victorian era normalized work-life separation, with a domestic sphere becoming a romanticized space for men to retreat from their jobs. This concept fueled the idea of the ideal worker, available full-time and distraction-free. However, as women entered the formal workforce in greater numbers, this illusion began to crumble.
Today, individual work-life balance often boils down to personality type – either an integrator or a segmentor. Some people prefer an office uniform distinct from weekend wear, while others opt for smart-casual attire suitable for both meetings and social events.
Work-life integration is touted by some as the solution, arguing that those who love their work don’t need balance but rather seamless integration. However, this approach can be problematic, particularly when it ignores the toxic workplaces that exist in reality.
The VW example illustrates the tension between flexibility and boundaries. Some people value having time for family and personal activities outside of work hours, while others prefer to maintain a strict separation between their professional and personal lives.
Severance’s portrayal of an impossible separation may suggest that we’re yearning for clearer boundaries. However, its sinister nature and glitches imply that this is neither flawless nor desirable. As the world navigates the hybrid work era, it’s essential to strike a balance between clarity and flexibility, acknowledging the complexities of individual personality types.
Source: https://www.ft.com/content/2df648eb-7bac-41f5-b6aa-403c5e3c0e2e