The Beacon: April 2023

Work Life Balance: A Benefit for Employers and Employees

By?Nila?Thompson

We have all heard the term work life balance, but how are we really incorporating it into our?day-to-day operations? Why is it even important??New research?has proven that having a balanced business and personal life can create a positive work environment, more productive team, decrease costs due to?absenteeism, and a reduction of burnout.

A study conducted by John?Pencavel?of Stanford University and the Institute for the Study of Labor, found that there was a decrease in productivity and a?higher potential for mistakes and injury after workers hit a certain number of hours. Employers that focus on a healthy work-life balance, therefore, can?possibly reduce stress, improve emotional states, increase overall productivity, and positively impact the employers’ bottom line.?

Here are a few initiatives that can be incorporated into your business:?

• Use clear communication when defining expectations and priorities
• Identify workloads and see if there needs to be a redistribution of projects
• Learn about the skills your employees enjoy using and see if you can focus their projects using those skills
• Encourage employees to use their?vacation and personal time off
• Lead by example, set work hours for yourself and follow them

Employees are responsible for a positive work environment as well. While leaders may try to provide a positive work environment, it also requires that?employees have?a?mutual respect for one another?and the welfare of the organization.?

Here are tips employees can follow:

• Communicate with your leadership to ensure your priorities are clear and that the workload is appropriate
• Recognize if you are getting overwhelmed and communicate your needs
• Use a calendar for better time management
• Establish clear work hours for projects and personal time
• Disconnect by setting boundaries regarding calls and emails during off hours and vacation
• Spend time doing things that you enjoy on your personal time

COMING UP:

Join our non-profit division, The ASCEND Collective for our April Networking event. Register here

DON'T MISS OUT:

Listen to our latest Vodcast,?ASCEND 4 Business

In a recent Spiceworks article titled How In-House Teams Benefit from Outside Recruiting, Robyn Grable discusses the talent shortages organizations have been experiencing and the relief that new hiring practices can provide your HR teams.?Read more