The concept of work-life balance has become more important than ever, especially when juggling a hectic lifestyle and a fulfilling career. Achieving this balance is not just about dividing time between work and personal life, but about thriving in both areas. This article explores the significance of work-life balance and the challenges in achieving it. Discover how employees and employers can collaborate to minimize absenteeism and boost productivity.
What is work life balance?
Work-life balance contains the words "work" and "life," which doesn't mean that everything in life revolves around work, but rather emphasizes the importance of striving for balance. In other words, it’s about finding the sweet spot between productivity and relaxation.
It’s not always easy to juggle your personal life and career, as they are entirely different spheres. Most people aren't the same person at home as they are at work, although you might occasionally use an Excel sheet to list and track household chores.
Everyone’s idea of a harmonious work-life balance is different. Some people live for their work, while others see it simply as a means to pursue a hobby or spend quality time with friends.
For some, work-life balance means avoiding bringing work home, while for others, it can involve working late at night in order to sleep in and arrive at the office well-rested.
A balanced work-life allows people to have a fulfilling career and a rewarding personal life at the same time. It is based on the idea that how we perform our tasks is much more important than the number of hours spent at work.
To break it down, work-life balance can be divided into these three categories.
- Time management: The ability to allocate time for both family and completing your weekly job tasks.
- Stress management: The ability to unplug, decompress, and distance yourself from toxic colleagues, imposter syndrome, and unrealistic expectations from a manager.
- Flexibility: Ensuring that your personal life does not negatively affect your work life, and vice versa.
Why is a healthy work life balance important?
First and foremost, a good work-life balance decreases stress levels, reducing the risk of anxiety and depression.
Your physical health is also affected by work, and a demanding job can result in cardiovascular disease, ulcers, cancer, and diabetes, often caused by overeating as a coping mechanism.
Additionally, a significant benefit of being less stressed at work is having more energy to spend with friends and family. It also reduces the risk of taking out work-related grievances on your spouse or children.
Positive interactions and a sense of belonging within your community work wonders for an individual’s self-esteem.
Every work team consists of many individuals, and when they feel better about themselves, collaboration will improve. Everyone has a unique skill set, and better work relationships support growth and innovation.
Companies that encourage a good work-life balance also free up time for personal growth and career advancement. An employee with newly acquired skills can contribute greatly to the entire organization.
All in all, a greater sense of well-being helps boost productivity at work, both on a daily basis and in the long term, partly because absenteeism is reduced.
What causes poor work life balance?
Just as life itself is complex and unpredictable, there can be quite a few obstacles to creating a perfect work-life balance, such as:
- Increased workload
- A steeper learning curve
- Longer commute
- The birth of a new family member
- A divorce or separation
There are as many reasons as there are employees. Rather than forcing people to quit their jobs, measures can be taken to create a positive work environment.
Watch out for signs such as excessive overtime, stressed-out teams, and burnout. Another red flag is an increase in sick days and a decrease in productivity.
Stressed employees tend to cut back on friendly communication, which can lead to unnecessary conflicts that may affect other areas of the business, such as client relationships.
Why can implementing work life balance in the workplace be difficult?
On an individual level, life has a tendency to get in the way. People may be affected by some of the following:
- Feeling uninspired and overworked
- Personal issues
- Physical health problems
- Unclear expectations
- Low self-esteem
On a more general level, the work culture itself can be an obstacle when trying to improve work-life balance. This can include mediocre business processes, inefficient IT systems, poor leadership, or simply an off-putting and uninspiring work environment.
What is the connection between work life balance and employee retention?
Work-life balance is one of the most crucial factors in fostering loyal employees. In fact, 24% of Millennials and Gen Z report that a poor work-life balance makes them start looking for a new job in the near future. They miss flexibility and autonomy, leading to a lack of motivation to perform well at work.
Employee retention is a key factor that can make or break company culture. It's expensive to constantly hire and train new employees when the existing ones leave. Additionally, you risk developing a reputation for promoting a poor work-life balance.
Loyal and fulfilled employees often become great ambassadors for the company and attract other top talent. When people stay for the long term, it allows the company to truly work toward sustainable, long-term goals.
Consistency is key.
How can managers support their employees' work life balance?
As mentioned, work-life balance is a combination of an employee's individual circumstances and the overall work culture.
Managers, however, hold the key to improving work-life balance and have access to information about each employee to help make their work life easier.
Flexible work schedules
Flexible work hours are the cornerstone of a great workplace. When employees feel they can adjust their schedules more freely and have greater autonomy, they are more likely to feel committed to their tasks and the company’s growth.
Flexibility isn't just about choosing whether to arrive at work at 8 or 9, but also about being able to work from home if needed. On a busy day, it can be practical to work remotely to attend a doctor’s appointment or travel by train to another city for a family reunion.
As an employer, you must consider the needs of each employee and be ready to offer solutions that benefit everyone. This includes being generous with approving vacation days, as long as it does not negatively impact the employee’s overall job performance.
An employee who is able to take time off will return rejuvenated and likely with a fresh perspective.
At Flowscape, we embrace the power of flexibility and have made desk booking seamless through our app.
It’s perfect for employees who want a hybrid approach, spending time both at home and in the office. By using the app, they can confidently reserve a seat in advance.
Promote taking regular breaks
During a busy day, it’s easy to stay glued to the desk and skip taking a proper lunch break away from the computer. Some believe that grabbing a quick snack saves time.
In reality, taking just 30 minutes to get some fresh air can help you decompress and bring more energy and focus to your work.
Lunchtime should be sacred, regardless of how the employee chooses to spend it. Meetings during lunch should be the exception, not the norm, and should raise eyebrows when they do occur.
Why not make the cafeteria inviting and comfortable to encourage people to enjoy their meal there? Also, provide microwaves, ample fridge space, and plenty of storage for employees' food.
Embrace healthy boundaries and time management
Many modern businesses have a mix of hybrid and remote workers, and since everyone’s idea of availability differs, it's a good idea to provide team guidelines.
This is also important for fostering a sustainable work culture where people don't feel they constantly have to be on call. The guidelines can include the following:
- What is expected when you are contacted after work?
- How do you indicate absence in the systems?
- How is absence reported to the rest of the team?
Time management tracking is an excellent way to monitor how much time is spent on each project and can be integrated with project management software. This makes it easier to divide the workload fairly and ensure everyone is contributing. It's not fair if one person has a heavier workload than another, especially if they perform similar tasks.
Don't rely solely on statistics; also make it a habit to discuss workload during 1:1 meetings. The employee should feel comfortable enough to express any concerns. t's better to address issues early than to have a conversation with your best employee during an exit interview.
Encourage everyone to set boundaries. Just because you send an email on a Sunday afternoon doesn't mean you should expect a prompt reply.
If someone informs their colleagues about their availability outside of regular hours, it should not be a surprise but rather highlighted as a great example.
Offer health and wellness initiatives
A hectic schedule means there is less time for leisure. Why not offer employees the chance to fit in some exercise during the workday?
One great idea is to encourage teams to have a recurring workout session on a specific day for anyone who wants to join.
Another suggestion is to regularly invite a personal trainer or massage therapist to help with aching shoulders and stiff backs.
A dedicated health and wellness day with lectures or yoga sessions could also be appreciated. The goal is to inspire people, not to point fingers.
Introduce ‘Bring a pet’-days
For many people, the joy of meeting a furry friend makes all the difference. A lot of pets are left at home, patiently waiting for their owners to return.
An office where dogs are allowed is beneficial for the dogs, their owners, and other employees, who can enjoy a break from their daily tasks. Just be mindful of those with fur allergies.
Take care of your employees
Stress from a poor work-life balance doesn't necessarily stem from having "too much to do." It can also be psychological, work-related stress caused by rude co-workers or clients, being treated unfairly, or not receiving enough recognition.
Make sure to reward and acknowledge the efforts of your employees. When they feel seen and heard, their motivation increases.
Be innovative and support everyone's personal lives
There are so many unique ways to enhance work life balance and to shape the office into a place to long for in the morning.
- No-meeting days: Allocate specific days for focus time and uninterrupted work.
- On-site childcare: Offer a secure environment for children, easing parental concerns.
- Monthly team outings: Foster team bonding with activities outside the office.
- Nap rooms: Provide a cozy space for a quick and revitalizing power nap.
- Skill development hours: Permit employees to use work time to learn new skills or pursue hobbies.
- Volunteer opportunities: Support community involvement by allowing volunteer activities during work hours.
- Quiet zones: Designate areas for distraction-free, focused work.
- Extended weekends: Implement a four-day workweek for more relaxation.
- Family days: Organize events that include employees' families to create a welcoming workplace environment.
- Casual dress code: Adopt a relaxed dress code policy for a more comfortable work environment.
- Mental health days: Recognize the importance of mental health by providing paid days off for self-care.
Make a better work life balance a top priority
In conclusion, finding work-life balance is an ongoing process that requires effort from both individuals and employers.
While perfect balance may be unattainable, the benefits are numerous: reduced work-related stress, improved employee health, and increased job satisfaction.
In a supportive work environment with flexible policies, clear guidelines, and wellness initiatives, employers can help their teams thrive both professionally and personally.
Ultimately, when employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to contribute positively, remain loyal, and drive the success of the company.
Want guidance on how to set up your hybrid office for success?
Feel free to schedule a meeting with one of our product experts to learn more about our solutions and how technology can help you streamline your office processes without interfering with employees' day-to-day work.