Improving employee work-life balance

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Better Life Index, the UK and ROI currently rank at 28 and 16 in work-life balance, against the 40 countries surveyed.

October 7th - 11th is National Work Life Week 2019 - an awareness campaign that gives employers the opportunity to focus on employee wellbeing and work-life balance.

Hosted by Working Families - the UK’s leading work-life balance organisation, Work Life Week encourages employers to provide activities for staff and to showcase their best practices in ensuring that their team maintain a healthy work-life balance.

What is work-life balance?

Despite being a “buzz term” among wellbeing experts, work-life balance is not a new concept. It simply refers to the level of prioritisation between personal and professional activities in an employee’s life.

Striking that perfect balance between work and home has always been a challenge for employees and now, modern workers are starting to demand greater control over their lives and a bigger say in the structure of their jobs.

According to the CIPD’s UK Working Lives survey, one in four employees overwork by ten hours a week or more and 68% of employees would like to work flexibly in a way that is not currently available.

Why is work-life balance important?

Work-life balance is an integral aspect of a healthy work environment - it will help your team reduce their stress levels and prevent burnout in the workplace. Also, balanced employees tend to feel more motivated and less anxious at work, thereby increasing productivity and reducing workplace conflicts.

To help combat the negative effects of a workforce lacking in work-life balance, we have compiled several tips on how to improve the work-life balance of your workforce:

1. Listen to your people

Understand the existing attitudes in your workplace by asking your team members what they like and dislike about their working environment. Distributing a survey can be an effective way of receiving responses. Remember, you can’t fix a problem if you don’t know it exists.

2. Be more flexible

Flexible working is on the increase. In fact, the latest Eurobarometer survey found that 47% of Irish employees use flexible working agreements. Employers have found that flexitime gives workers increased responsibility and freedom as well as helping them to balance their private and personal life effectively.

3. Encourage breaks

Invest in a communal area that allows your team to enjoy their breaks away from their workspace and take their mind off from their work. Encouraging regular breaks for your team will not only improve their mental wellbeing, but it will add some light exercise into their daily routine too.

4. Lead by example

The best way to get your team on board with any changes you make to improve their work-life balance is to embrace them yourself This will help diffuse any hesitance or anxiousness they may be feeling.

Overall, empowering your employees to take control of their work and home lives can have a profound impact on their job satisfaction and performance at work. And as a result, your organisation’s workforce will flourish, along with your reputation.

If you would like to find out more information on any of the topics mentioned in this article, please contact Health Assured on:

UK: 0844 892 2493

ROI: 01886 0324