Why Work-Life Balance Matters And How You Can Help Employees Achieve It
Did you hear it? Stress levels in employees are at an all-time high. A new study conducted by Aflac confirms that.
The “always-on culture” is a key factor contributing to high levels of stress in employees. It’s the modern technology that is fueling this always-on culture. It has blurred the line between personal life and professional responsibilities.
In the past, leaving the office meant truly disconnecting. But with constant email access and smartphones at hand, many professionals face an unspoken pressure to remain accessible outside of standard work hours. That is no wonder, leading to a poor work-life balance and affecting employee engagement.
That said, let’s take a look at why work-life balance matters and how you can help your employees achieve it.
Why Work-Life Balance Matters?
Here’s why a healthy work-life balance matters:
1. It Results in Higher Productivity and More Engagement
There is a common belief that working long hours can help with career advancement. This notion is, however, flawed and can actually undermine productivity.
More work hours mean less personal and family time, which increases stress levels. If employees work overtime, it might impair their cognitive function. So, they may find it harder to complete tasks efficiently.
Adequate rest and personal time actually boost productivity and job performance. Research shows that employees with a healthy balance are more productive and take fewer sick days. Companies offering work-life balance opportunities, like remote work, often see higher productivity rates.
2. It Boosts Physical and Mental Health
A poor work-life balance can have negative effects on your employees’ mental as well as physical health.
More than 1 in 4 people in the U.S. describe themselves as ‘super stressed’.
This constant stress has serious physical impacts. It is linked to higher risks of heart disease and high blood pressure. It can also weaken the immune system, making employees more vulnerable to colds and flu.
Long working hours may also cause musculoskeletal pain and work-related fatigue. Not having a better work-life balance might affect your employees’ mental well-being. Around 76% of U.S. workers experience mental health symptoms.
3. Employees Find Greater Job Satisfaction
Do you know that a healthy work-life balance significantly improves job satisfaction?
When employees effectively balance their professional and personal lives, they are less likely to experience feelings of resentment or frustration towards their work. This leads to improved performance, increased motivation, and a stronger commitment to the organization.
Flexible work hours, for instance, enhance job satisfaction. A remarkable 73% of workers report increased job satisfaction due to flexible schedules. Yet, many companies don’t support this.
The result? This disrupts employees’ work-life balance, chipping away at morale and long-term engagement.
4 Tips To Help Employees Achieve a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Here’s how you can help your employees achieve a healthy balance between their work demands and personal responsibilities:
1. Offer Flexible Work Arrangements
Giving employees more control over when and where they work is huge. It gives them a sense of job control and increases job satisfaction. It also means less stress and better mental health for your team.
Flexible work isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing, however. It can mean remote work, where employees work entirely from home, or hybrid models, which offer a mix of office and home days. It also includes flexible hours, where folks choose their start and end times to better fit personal needs.
On the flip side, it can help you attract and keep great people, and even boost overall productivity. This is why 68% of U.S. firms now offer work location flexibility.
Now, a quick heads-up: while working from home can increase job satisfaction, it can also increase job stress.
To make flexibility work, you need clear expectations, not a free-for-all. Regardless of schedule or work location, set deadlines. Think about equity: both in-office and remote workers must get the same support, communication, and opportunities.
And definitely invest in the right tech for smooth collaboration, like communication apps and digital tools.
2. Encourage Employees to Take Short Breaks Throughout the Day
Think being too busy means no breaks? That’s a trap. This mindset is counterproductive.
Skipping breaks actually leads to faster burnout and higher stress levels. It depletes mental resources and makes it harder to focus.
Science says: small breaks can significantly boost brain function. They increase productivity, improve mental well-being and boost job satisfaction.
How can you help? Encourage movement breaks, like walking meetings, which can boost creative inspiration. This integrates physical activity and mental breaks into the workday naturally.
Make it okay for people to step away from their desks. Maybe set an alarm for a team break, or suggest everyone step outside for a few minutes. This will make employees feel more valued and supported, leading to better overall well-being and performance.
3. Promote Wellness Initiatives
Your employees can’t do their best work if they are running on empty. So, integrate wellness programs into company culture.
Think beyond fruit bowls and step challenges. Cover part of a gym membership or give access to workout apps, so employees can engage in regular exercise and stay active.
Provide mental health resources as well. Things like counseling services, therapy reimbursements, or guided meditation apps can really help with stress management.
Also, offer regular health screenings, especially if their day-to-day work exposes them to toxic chemicals.
Firefighters, for instance, are exposed to toxic chemicals in the line of duty. Some of them include benzene, asbestos, formaldehyde, and flame retardants.
Their nature of the job also exposes them to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Exposure to these chemicals is particularly concerning because they are linked to cancer. According to TorHoerman Law, those are linked with bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and testicular cancer.
Firefighters are exposed to them through aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). Affected individuals are filing the AFFF lawsuit seeking compensation for the harm suffered due to AFFF.
Regular health checks can help catch issues early and show employees you truly care.
4. Give Employees Paid Time Off
This might seem obvious, but it’s important. Paid time off (PTO) is not a luxury. It’s a necessity for adequate rest.
Holidays provide a chance to switch off and truly enjoy oneself. They are also a great opportunity to recuperate and recharge. This can improve your employees’ productivity and focus when they return to the office.
A survey by Pluxee revealed that taking a vacation boosted employees’ creativity by 33% and productivity by 13%.
So, encourage your team to use their PTO. Implement a ‘use it or lose it’ system for unused days, so they don’t hoard time. This will make sure they take their well-deserved breaks.
As it helps them disconnect from work mode and prevent unhealthy work-life balance, they can engage in personal pursuits.
Time to Implement Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is important because it affects everything from job performance and health to relationships.
When you help employees find that perfect balance between work and personal life, the positive effects ripple through every part of the business. The data clearly shows that a balanced workforce is a healthier, more productive, and more committed workforce. That, ultimately, improves your bottom line.
