Work Life Balance
Employers can have a positive impact on their staff by employing effective work-life balance policies.
Do you, your staff or someone you know ever say things like:
- “I am finding it hard to juggle the demands of my job and family”
- “There is no balance between my work and personal commitments”
- “I don’t feel as I am doing anything as well I would like on the home and work front”
- “I feel so tired. There is no time for me”.
If you or they do, you and they are not alone. The negative impact of work and personal demands on employees is increasingly better understood and has resulted in the creation of many family friendly work places. In these work places staff have access to flexible working conditions such as shorter working hours, not working on some days, access to more holidays and carer and parental leave.
These flexible work options make good business and personal sense. They help employees balance the changing demands of work and personal life and as a consequence boost staff morale and productivity and the reputation of the workplace as being a great place to work. Everyone wins!
Flexible work options make good business and personal sense
When designing flexible work conditions the needs of the workplace and the needs of the employee, relevant legislation, agreements and awards need to be considered. The success of these flexible work arrangements requires 'give and take' by employers and employees and a shared responsibility to make the arrangements work. Liaise with your HR department to discuss available family friendly work practices and or strategies to maximise the effectiveness of such conditions.
There are many benefits of implementing work-life balance policies. These include:
Employers’ benefits:
- reduced staff turnover
- lower recruitment and training costs, due to decreased turnover
- reduced absenteeism due to higher levels of well being
- gaining a reputation as a good employer or an employer of choice
- better attraction and retention of staff
- reduced stress levels amongst staff
- improved morale and job satisfaction
- greater staff loyalty and commitment
- improved productivity
Employees benefits:
- improved work-life balance – a reduction in the impact of work on home and family life and vice a versa
- reduced stress levels and higher levels of well being
- control over time management in meeting work-life commitments
- autonomy to make decisions regarding work-life balance
- increased focus, motivation and job satisfaction knowing that family and work commitments are being met
- increased job security from the knowledge that an organisation understands and supports workers with family responsibilities.
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