5 Ways Employers can Encourage a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Striking a balance between work and home-life is a challenge that many of us have faced at some point in our lives. Often, the right balance will vary depending on circumstances. This can include having children, starting a new career or business, or simply going through a busy period either at work or at home.
A healthy work-life balance isn’t necessarily achieved by splitting your time between work and home life equally, as this can often be unrealistic. Instead, your work-life split should balance, in order for it to be easily maintainable. Achieving the optimal work-life balance differs across individuals, based on their priorities and lifestyles. However, incorporating an effective work-life structure can bring about a more enjoyable life and encourage a greater sense of overall achievement.
Employers can also reap the benefits of encouraging a healthy work-life balance amongst employees. For example, employees will feel a greater sense of control, with the ability to manage stresses at home more effectively by separating them from the workplace. Employers will also appear more attractive to candidates, by showing that it values the wellbeing of its workforce. In turn, employers can see higher retention rates, reduced absenteeism and increased productivity as a result.
Five ways that employers can encourage a health work-life balance:
Promote exercise
A healthy exercise regime can boost employee health, whilst also helping to break up the day and improve concentration for employees after exercise. This in turn can benefit the company through increased productivity rates.
Ensure breaks are taken
It is important to encourage employees to take breaks from work as and when they feel necessary. Studies have shown that those employees that take breaks after working for a period of time become more productive afterwards, than those who do not take any breaks at all.
Create a designated quiet space
Sometimes a quiet area can help employees to get away from the background noise which is often experienced in the busy workplace. By designating a specific area in the office, this can be encouraged and offer an option to employees that are looking for some quiet time.
Allow for flexibility
Flexible working can help employees manage the balance between a productive daily routine along with the stresses and challenges that can be experienced at home. Those employees that have the ability to work flexibly can do so knowing that their employer encourages a healthy work-life balance, and in turn become more productive as a result.
Promote health initiatives
Health initiatives can be encouraged to increase overall awareness towards important issues experienced by employees in the workplace. These can be topics such as stress and mental health conditions, which can be seen in employees without them sometimes realising they are experiencing the symptoms. An increased awareness of these issues can only help both the employers and employees to identify issues before they develop into more serious ones.