Abstract
and concerning contentions on the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) on work have been noted by scholars. On the one hand, the worth of technology in production and skills development in the workplace has been witnessed in the 4IR (Asghar et al. 2020; de Ruyter et al. 2019; Corfe 2018; Ohene-Afoakwa and Nyanhongo 2017; Schwab and Davis 2018; Schwab and Samans 2016). On the other, the new era poses a threat to employment status, healthy working hours and group conformity (Routley 2020). The 4IR has also increased uncertainties for the future of work as modification of employment structures in many sectors remains unknown (Routley 2020; Mzekandaba 2019; Corfe 2018; Prisecaru 2016). Consequently, conversions brought by the 4IR to the workplace will have an impact on work-family/life balance. Guided by these scholarly observations, the study employed a qualitative research methodology to gather data on the conditions that the 4IR creates for work-family/life balance of accountants working in firms around Johannesburg, South Africa. Research was carried out from 24 April 2021 to 20 September 2021. Considering that this period was when the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns were introduced worldwide, structured and semi-structured interviews with 26 accountants were conducted through various digital applications. The findings revealed how the intersection of work and family life created both good and undesirable conditions for accountants who were working from home. The participants were able to multitask through the use of technology as they could engage in family and household activities while performing work duties. In addition, working from home reduced the accountants’ stress levels as they had more time to take part in recreational activities, which enabled them to strike a work-family/life balance. While working from home allowed several participants to be present in the home and the workplace simultaneously, the integration of work and family life by location created a conflict for some of the participants who could not adjust to ‘the new normal’. The accountants were uncertain about the potential impact that the 4IR would have on their professional duties and work-family/life balance in the future. However, they demonstrated their agency by improving their knowledge of 4IR technologies, adapting to new ways of work, and responding to the use of technology to achieve a satisfactory work family/life balance. Overall, the study recommends that as the use of 4IR technologies increases, employee work-family/life balance should be considered, prioritised, and protected to promote healthy work environments.
Keywords: 4IR, work-family/life balance, technology, gender, accountants, financial sector, auditing, uncertain futures, structure, and agency.