• Mississippi has the worst work-life balance, with a minimum wage of $7.25, 6.4% of employees working from home, and employees working an average of 35.5 hours per week. 
• Connecticut has the best work-life balance, with a minimum wage of $16.35, 14.3% of employees working from home, and employees working an average of 33.8 hours per week.  
• The study analyzed 15 factors related to work-life balance in the US to give each state an index score, ranking them from worst to best work-life balance.

Halloween is approaching, and while many families are preparing for costumes, candy and celebrations, not everyone will get to join in the fun. New research has found the states with the worst work-life balance, revealing those where parents are most likely to miss out on spooky celebrations, with Mississippi ranking number one.

Work management experts at Asana analyzed 15 key factors affecting work-life balance in the US, including average commute time, state-mandated paid sick leave, and average annual income after taxes. Using this data, they created an index to rank each state, with a lower score indicating the areas for improvement in work-life balance.  

The states with the worst work-life balance based on index scores 

Rank	State	Index score /100
1	Mississippi	21.43
2	Louisiana	21.56
3	West Virginia	29.60
4	Oklahoma	29.91
5	Alabama	31.96
6	Arkansas	32.54
7	Kentucky	33.00
8	Texas	33.68
9	South Carolina	35.46
10	Georgia	36.52

Mississippi ranks number one, with an index score of 21.43/100. The average annual income after taxes in this state is $45,805, the lowest in the country. Out of all full-time workers in Mississippi, 4.6% are below the poverty level, which is the highest rate in the US. 

Louisiana places second, with a score of 21.56/100 for work-life balance. Employees here work an average of 36.8 hours per week, more than in any other state. On top of this, 4.5% of full-time workers are living below the poverty level, the second-highest rate nationally. 

West Virginia takes third place, with an index score of 29.6/100. The average yearly income in West Virginia is $48,076 after taxes. In the state, just 8.3% of employees work from home, the third lowest percentage in the country. 

Oklahoma is next, with a score of 29.91/100. In the state, 3.7% of full-time workers are below the poverty level, the fourth-highest percentage in the country.

Alabama comes fifth, with an index score of 31.96/100 for work-life balance. The state has the third-lowest average annual income in the US, at $48,945 after taxes.

Arkansas follows, scoring 32.54/100. In this state, 3.3% of full-time workers live below the poverty level, which is the sixth-highest percentage nationally.

Kentucky ranks seventh, with an index score of 33/100. The average yearly income after tax is $49,744 in Kentucky, the fourth lowest in the country. 

Texas is eighth, with a score of 33.68/100 for work-life balance. South Carolina places ninth, scoring 35.46/100. Georgia rounds out the top ten, with an index score of 36.52/100 for work-life balance. 

On the other hand, the state with the best work-life balance is Connecticut, with a score of 76.75/100. Closely following are Massachusetts and Colorado, scoring 76.46/100 and 75.16/100, respectively. 

A spokesperson for Asana has commented, 

“According to Mental Health America, workers are more productive, take fewer sick days, and are more likely to stay in their jobs when they have a good work-life balance, benefiting both the employee and employer.

“While workers can take steps to improve their own work-life balance, such as sticking to their work hours and avoiding answering work-related calls and emails when out of office, it is up to both the employees and employers to ensure a healthier work-life balance.

“This research ultimately highlights the areas with the most room for growth and the greatest opportunities for improving work-life balance for employees.”