How to apply work-life integration to form clarity around working hours

The Workplace Wellbeing Initiative (Global Wellness Institute) with the Global Wellness Institute is delighted to bring you highlights for the month of June. We hope that the identified tools and resources for the below help support employee well-being and create a positive work culture.?

When writing the Work-Life Integration Standards, our Initiative members explored from the lens of "integration" rather than "balance". This concept was important to explore because rather than seeking balance, or equal distribution, finding integration empowers individuals to blend their personal and professional responsibilities in a way that works for their lives. The word "integration" itself can also pose the question, "How can I show up with integrity for myself?" in life, work, and so on, which can help empower us to take personal responsibility for how we manage our lives.?

In this month's newsletter, we will explore how to apply work-life integration to form Clarity Around Working Hours alongside permission to "turn off" and respect for non-working time. Please review our three recommendations below.

Recommendation One:

Our standard recommends that teams at every level set clear time boundaries by defining work hours, accounting for different time zones, and giving employees explicit permission to stop working. This practice ensures that employees feel empowered to disengage from work. Within the defined framework, employees are trusted to fulfill their responsibilities, and their performance is evaluated based on the outcome and quality of their work.

Useful resources to start this conversation in your workplace:

• Team Communication Charter: The Team Communication Charter from the Digital Wellness Institute is a resource that helps teams establish healthy communication practices. It provides guidelines for response times, preferred channels, and boundaries for after-hours communication, emphasizing respect for work-life balance. This charter promotes smoother collaboration and a healthier work environment by prioritizing open communication while considering the well-being of team members.? To access, download The Digital Wellness Playbook from the Digital Wellness Institute , where the Team Communication Charter will be found on pages 25-27.
• Time Tracking Tools: Implementing time tracking tools, such as Toggl, Harvest, or Clockify, can help individuals and teams monitor and manage their working hours effectively. These tools allow employees to track their time and provide visibility into their workload and productivity.
• Communication and Collaboration Platforms: Utilize communication and collaboration platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Asana to establish clear boundaries and facilitate communication within designated work hours. These platforms enable teams to communicate effectively, share updates, and collaborate while respecting working hours.
• Policies and Guidelines: Develop and communicate clear policies and guidelines that outline the expected working hours, breaks, and time off. These policies should be easily accessible to all employees and provide guidance on how to establish and maintain boundaries between work and personal life.

Recommendation Two:

Our standard recommends that managers and employees be encouraged to "turn off" during and outside working hours, allowing time for other aspects of their lives and personal needs. Recognizing that everyone's needs differ, companies should provide flexibility for employees to determine when they switch off, which may include incorporating active recovery time and self-care practices into the workday. It's important to ensure that this time is respected and valued.

Useful resources for setting professional boundaries:

• Setting Better Boundaries: Harvard Business Review Guide to Setting Better Boundaries emphasizes the importance of identifying and implementing both "hard" and "soft" boundaries that align with personal needs and priorities. It encourages readers to envision their high-level priorities, establish one non-negotiable boundary, and explore flexible boundaries to enhance productivity and well-being. The guide highlights the fluid nature of the process and emphasizes the benefits of a balanced work-life dynamic.
• Work-Life Balance Training Programs: Implementing work-life balance training programs can provide employees with valuable tools and strategies for setting professional boundaries and achieving healthy work-life integration. Employers can carry out these programs through workshops, seminars, or online courses on topics such as time management, stress reduction, and prioritization.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): EAPs offer employees confidential counseling services and resources to support their overall well-being, including setting boundaries and managing work-related stress. EAPs often provide access to professional counselors or therapists who can help individuals navigate work-life challenges and establish healthy boundaries.
• Internal Communication Guidelines: Develop clear internal communication guidelines that establish norms and expectations regarding communication during non-working hours. These guidelines can include limiting after-hours emails, avoiding unnecessary meetings outside of work hours, and encouraging employees to respect each other's personal time. Employers can communicate these guidelines through company-wide announcements, email reminders, or inclusion in employee handbooks.

Recommendation Three:

Our standard suggests eliminating, reducing, or modifying communication during non-working hours to respect employees' personal and home lives, including evenings, holidays, and weekends. If there is a need for communication during these times due to emergencies, it is essential for the company to clearly define what constitutes an emergency to avoid abusing this exception. Alternatively, if communication during non-working hours is necessary, we recommend using language that demonstrates consideration for employees' personal time.

Useful resources for setting professional boundaries:

• Out of Office Messages: This valuable resource from Career Contessa offers a collection of creative and effective out-of-office email templates. In a world where prompt email responses are expected, this resource acknowledges the need for extended time away from work and the desire to disconnect from the internet. The resource provides a variety of message examples that set clear boundaries and communicate the unavailability of the recipient. By using these templates, professionals can effectively communicate their absence while maintaining professionalism and setting expectations for response times.?
• Communication Guidelines and Policies: Develop clear communication guidelines and policies that explicitly outline expectations regarding communication during non-working hours. These guidelines can include specific timeframes when employers do not expect their employees to be available for work-related communication. Communicate these guidelines to all employees through company-wide communications, employee handbooks, or dedicated policy documents.
• Technology Tools and Features: Encourage using technology tools and features that facilitate communication boundaries. For example, utilize email scheduling features to delay the delivery of non-urgent emails until working hours or enable "Do Not Disturb" settings on collaboration platforms to reduce notifications during non-working hours. Educate employees on how to leverage these tools effectively to minimize after-hours communication.
• Team and Manager Training: Conduct training sessions or workshops focused on promoting respect for non-working time. These sessions can educate managers and team members on the importance of work-life balance, setting boundaries, and respecting personal time. Provide practical strategies and tips for effective communication within working hours and emphasize the significance of downtime and recharging for productivity and well-being.

We'd love to hear about your experiences with establishing clarity around working hours in your workplace. How does your organization communicate and define working hours? Are there specific policies or guidelines in place to ensure everyone is on the same page? How do you personally manage and uphold these boundaries? Share your insights and strategies for promoting clarity and work-life balance in your professional environment.

Our June highlights/content is being bought to you by?Sarah Gravely?Nina Hersher?Danielle (Dan) Watkins. These three initiative members are passionate about the topic of Work-Life Integration and in offering practical solutions.

We invite you to visit our?Initiative page?on the?Global Wellness Institute?website. You can learn more about our Initiative team members and resources, including our Workplace Wellbeing Standards and Real Talk Series.

We are excited to share that our latest instalment of the Real Talk series is now live; From Disconnected to Connected.

Our newest episode of the Workplace Well-Being Real Talk series discusses how to enliven the spirit of our work lives and workplaces by sharing practical ways to foster higher levels of connection within ourselves, our co-workers, our work, and the world at large. Our aim is to help anyone leading well-being for their organizations, teams, and themselves to understand how to take a whole-person approach to well-being by addressing mind, body, and spirit. Thank you to the members who contributed to this episode by sharing insights and stories from their work with employers as workplace well-being consultants, trainers, and coaches.? Jocelyn Pepe?John Toomey?Jessica Cygan?Sarah Gravely?Danielle (Posa) Pusateri Jessica Grossmeier Sylvia Greenley