Blog 09 - Balancing work life of an employee

Balancing work life of an employee 

Work life balance defined.

Work life balance is a technique that assists employees in balancing their personal and professional lives. Work life balance encourages employees to prioritize their time and maintain a balance by devoting time to family, health, vacations, and other activities in addition to pursuing a career and traveling for business. It is an important concept in the business world because it helps to motivate employees and increases their loyalty to the company. (Kundnani and Mehetha, 2021)

Easy steps to be taken to maintain work life balance of an employee 

According to Nepali (2018), the steps listed below can be taken by an employer to ensure an employee's work-life balance.

Maintain Structural Consistency

It is critical to maintain a sense of consistency and organization in your company structure because employees feel less anxious when they know what to expect on a daily basis as much as possible. Don't be afraid to shake things up now and then, but a consistent and dependable work environment can help employees cope with stress at home.

Offer Community Engagement Opportunities

another excellent way to bridge the gap between work and leisure is to provide meaningful and beneficial community engagement activities.

Allow Schedule Flexibility

because not every business is well-suited for a virtual workforce, don't jeopardize your company's productivity if you require your employees to arrive at work in person. Giving your employees the option to work remotely when they truly need to due to an emergency that requires them to make up time later is something entirely different.

 

For example, if your employee's child is ill, consider allowing her to work from home that day or come in over the weekend to make up for lost time. This way, your employee won't have to worry about missing work or losing pay while on leave, and your company's deadlines will still be met.

Engage in Team-Building Exercises

Team Building may sound too cheesy for your workplace, but some of them really do foster a much-needed sense of teamwork. If your employees believe they can rely on one another for support, they will have someone to turn to when they are stressed or overwhelmed.

Encourage Vacations

Many companies still adhere to the old standard of two weeks of vacation per year, but studies and surveys have shown that 14 days off per 365 days is simply insufficient to achieve work-life balance. Employees at small businesses and growing start-ups are frequently under the most pressure to work every day without regard for personal time or self-rejuvenation.

Encourage Short Breaks Throughout the Day

On a smaller scale, frequent breaks throughout the day are critical for workers' mental and physical health. The human body was not designed to sit still and stare at a screen for eight hours, and doing so can result in a number of health problems. Taking breaks at work also improves employee performance because they are more focused, less stressed, and more productive in the long run.

Allow Unpaid Time Off for Life Events

some life events warrant paid time off, but others are a little more complicated. Consider your employees' emergency family needs as well as their desire to improve themselves.

 

For example, you could provide unpaid leave for events that do not qualify under the Family and Medical Leave Act, such as assisting a parent with a serious illness or extending maternity leave for a few months after a child is born. You may also want to provide unpaid leave to valuable employees who want to attend graduate school or are considering relocating for a spouse's job.

Ask Employees for Guidance

who better to consult about what your office's employees genuinely require than the employees themselves? If you suspect that your workers are dealing with work-life balance, ask them what adjustments in the workplace could be beneficial. You could be shocked by what you hear and, as a consequence, work on some mutually beneficial tactics.

 

To encourage these talks, which can be difficult to initiate, consider holding frequent group or one-on-one sessions to explore balancing concerns. Depending on the size and particular requirements of your staff, these meetings might be held periodically, semi-annually, or yearly.

Be a Good Model for Balance


nobody wants to hear life advise from a hypocrite, so be sure your words and actions match. If your company's management react to emails while on vacation, it sends the message to employees that they are expected to do the same. Respect your workers' balance and privacy by not calling them beyond normal business hours unless it is an absolute necessity.

 

 

How would work life balance benefits an organization 

According to Badrayanachar (2015), the following advantages may be obtained by a business through employee work-life balance.

• Increased productivity.
• Lower absenteeism.
• A happier, less stressed workforce.
• Improvements in employee health and well-being.
• A more positive perception of you as an employer.
• Greater employee loyalty, commitment and motivation.
• Measured increases in employee accountability and commitment.
• Better teamwork and communication.
• Improved morale.
• Increased engagement and commitment levels.
• Less negative organizational stress.
• Reduces Staff Turnover and Recruitment Costs.

Reference.

Badrayanachar, P. (2015) Balancing work life. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2032.1126

Kundnani, N., Mehetha, P. (2021) Role of personality traits in balancing work-life DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.32887.34722

Nepali, T.N.P. (2018) Balancing work life and family life: Problems and remedies DOI: 10.3126/pravaha.v24i1.20240