The Importance of Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance has been a hot topic lately, and for good reason! If you’re in HR or a leadership role, it’s crucial to understand how important balance is for creating engaged and happy employees. A healthy work-life balance allows everyone to excel at work and take care of their personal well-being outside the office. Let’s dive in and explore this further.

Work-Life Balance in the News

A recent study by Aviva has been making waves. It revealed that since the pandemic, people are more focused on work-life balance than salary. According to Aviva, “More workers said they were attracted to their current role for the work-life balance (41%) than the salary (36%). This is a switch in rankings compared to 2019, before the pandemic.”

Work plays a significant role in our lives. Our earnings keep the lights on, food on the table, and savings for a rainy day. However, with the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills, finding work-life balance has become even more challenging.

We’re increasingly connected through technology and social media, making it harder to separate work from personal life. It’s now common to check emails at all hours, take business calls at the dinner table, and work on laptops over the weekend. How did this become acceptable?

Employers are expecting more from their employees, leading to increased pressure to achieve greater results. These pressures have reached a tipping point, with people realising the need for better balance. As a business leader, it’s your responsibility to help your team juggle the demands of work and personal life. Even your most engaged employees might be struggling to find balance.

How Important is Work-Life Balance?

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial not only for health and relationships but also for improving productivity and performance. When employees don’t view work as a chore, they work harder, make fewer mistakes, and are more likely to become advocates for your brand.

Businesses that promote work-life balance have become very attractive, especially when it comes to attracting and retaining younger workers. According to Oxford Economics, “Replacing an employee costs on average around £30,000 and it takes up to 28 weeks to get them up to speed.” Keeping your existing employees happy can save time and money while ensuring a high level of in-house talent.

Here are more reasons why work-life balance is essential for your people and your organisation:

1. Fewer Health Problems

 Stress and overwork can jeopardise more than just social lives—they can harm physical and mental health. Overworking and stress can lead to symptoms ranging from the flu to serious conditions like strokes and respiratory problems. A UCL study of over 10,000 participants found that white-collar workers who worked three or more hours longer than required had a 60% higher risk of heart-related problems than those who didn’t work overtime. Encouraging employees to look after themselves and find balance can significantly reduce health problems and absences, ensuring more efficient business operations.

2. More Engagement 

Helping employees find the perfect balance between work and home increases their engagement levels. According to a Tower Perrin global survey, “Companies with highly-engaged employees had a near 52% gap in performance improvement in operating income.” Additionally, “Companies with high levels of employee engagement improved 19.2% in operating income, while companies with low levels of employee engagement declined 32.7%.” An engaged workforce is more likely to go the extra mile and become loyal advocates for your brand and product.

3. Fewer Burnouts 

While stress is unavoidable, workplace burnouts are preventable. Burnouts occur when employees feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands. The inability to separate work from personal life increases the chances of burnout. It’s essential to encourage your team to take time off and truly relax.

4. More Mindfulness

 Achieving a healthy work-life balance helps develop greater control over focus and concentration on tasks at hand—this is known as mindfulness. A team that is fully focused on their tasks, rather than worrying about work or home, will improve retention rates, productivity, and ultimately profit.

Tips to Improve Work-Life Balance

1.Encouraging Time Off 

Holidays are not a luxury; they are a necessity. A break from work provides a chance to switch off and enjoy oneself, and it’s also an opportunity to recuperate and recharge. Numerous studies show that holidays increase company productivity and reduce stress. The American Sociological Association reports that more vacations lead to a decline in psychological distress. Implement a “use it or lose it” system where unused days aren’t carried over or repaid financially to encourage time off.

2. Implement Short Breaks Throughout The Day

 If taking extended time off isn’t an option, encourage small breaks throughout the day. Staring at a bright screen for hours is detrimental to health and mental well-being. Consider installing a game room, encouraging light exercise, or introducing walking meetings. Technology can also help—invest in subscriptions to mindfulness or meditation apps. These techniques positively impact work performance, productivity, and workplace happiness.

3. Ask Employees for Guidance 

If you’re struggling to come up with ways to improve work-life balance, ask your employees. Find out what changes they think would improve their situation. Collaborating with your team provides more insight into their thinking and helps develop effective strategies. Consider having regular meetings or implementing real-time cultural feedback programs for data-driven insights.

4.Practice What You Preach

 Lead by example. If you tell your employees to shut off their laptops at six and not work over the weekend, but you’re sending emails during these periods, it sends mixed messages. Respect the balance and privacy of your team outside office hours, allowing them to fully switch off and recharge.

Most of us spend a significant amount of time at work, and it often takes over other aspects of our lives. Finding the right balance and implementing it in your workplace allows you and your employees to give personal lives the attention they deserve. By promoting work-life balance, you’ll build an engaged and productive team.