What is work-life balance and why does it matter

After lockdown resulted in the largest work from home experiment we’ve ever seen, it became clear that our current workforce was ready for a much-needed upgrade. As most companies are now heading towards a hybrid workplace setup, it is vital to take the work-life balance into account to ensure the right improvements are being made.

The hybrid workplace has a lot of potential. It gives employees the opportunity to be more flexible and work with their personal schedules. In addition, it also reduces travel time and CO2 emission which, of course, is great for the environment. And perhaps most importantly, employees manage to be equally, and in some cases even or more, productive.

However, there are a number of downsides to working in this new setup. Employees have reported feeling isolated, more stressed and missing the social interactions that we need as human beings. Training of new staff members, or mentoring colleagues, also brings new challenges along the way. Not to forget, the so-called zoom fatigue; the overuse of virtual platforms of communication in particular video conferencing to meet other colleagues remotely for staff meetings. So if you are struggling, or feeling overwhelmed by these changes, you are not alone (but don't worry I can help!)

So what is work-life balance? Why is it important? And what small changes can we make to make this easier?

​What does work-life balance mean?

In short, work-life balance means the equilibrium between personal life and work. But there is so much more to it than these two elements: work and life.

What are the myths surrounding work-life balance?

One of the biggest myths surrounding work-life balance is that this balance is like a scale; when one side goes up, the other side goes down. The reality is that every single one of us has our lives, and work is part of this equation, but it is not the only thing that matters. If we want to create a better work-life balance for our employees and ourselves, we need to start seeing work as an extension of life so we can create a better balance in all areas of our life; such as emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually and financially.

​Only if we take all the areas of our lives into account and these needs are met, can we create a work-life “balance” that actually serves us well.

Did you know?

Recent studies show that over 40 % of the global workforce is considering leaving their employer this year because they are unhappy with the current situation. These shocking numbers don’t lie:

- 20 % say their employer doesn’t care about their work-life balance
- 54 % feel overworked
- 39 % feel exhausted

The healthcare costs of job-related burnout are currently guesstimated between $125-$190 billion per year in the US alone. In the UK, the number for mental health-related costs sits at £35 billion per year.

And male suicide is still the number one cause of death in the UK?

Besides the devastating effects these (mental) health and stress related issues can have on a person and their families, it is also very expensive!

That's why I think it is time we upgrade the way we view work and create a better version of work 2.0 that includes the wellbeing as part as the business strategy. 

So if you are not managing to find a good balance between work and life, trust me, you are not alone. 

What are the dos and don’ts surrounding work-life balance when working remotely?

There are a number of dos and don’ts that make working remotely much easier to implement. It can be quite challenging but is not impossible with the right strategy.
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​DO – Set Boundaries

When working remotely from home it is crucial to set clear boundaries. Assign clear blocks of the day for work and communicate these to your partner or babysitter and children if they are around the house as well. Boundaries blur when working from home instead of the office, so it is tempting for others to ask a quick question here and there. In reality, this means you hardly get any work done. By defining specific hours for work, it becomes much easier to navigate.
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From an employer perspective, this means allowing your employees to work according to a flexible schedule. When you start understanding the different dynamics that are involved with working from home or remotely, you will see much better results if you allow for flexibility to be the norm.

When working remotely from home it is crucial to set clear boundaries CLICK TO TWEET

DO – Create a specific area

​It helps if the remote worker can assign a specific area of their house as their “office”. They can close the door when they are done, which affirms that they aren’t available right now supporting healthy boundaries.

​If they don’t have a spare room, encourage them to create a corner in their house or provide a nearby location. Working at a local flex office can also be a great solution when working remotely. This also allows for an easy to manage schedule, with often fewer interruptions than working from home.

​​RESEARCH SHOWS THAT 85% BELIEVES WORKING LESS WOULD BENEFIT THEIR WELLBEING

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​A recent poll by the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland (IPPR), showed that 85% of people polled agree that a shorter working week would be good for their wellbeing. Is your business (or you personally) ready for a better work-life balance to improve your (mental) wellbeing?

DON’T – Be Available 24/7

This is one of the trickiest to navigate both from the company’s perspective as well as a member of staff. When working remotely, whether this is from home or an alternative location, you cannot be 100% sure when everyone is available. Especially if the company has multiple offices in different time zones.

Again, this ties in with the first “DO – Set Boundaries”; create a system where you can see each other’s availability through an online calendar, for example. It helps to provide additional remote workers resources; such as a laptop or smartphone to avoid overworking. If you don’t provide a separate work phone, encourage the remote workers to turn off any work-related apps smartphone to avoid being prompted back to do “one more thing”. This avoids being accessible 24/7 and promotes a better work-life balance.

Susanne Grant: "The way we view work is changing and we are at a pivotal point in history where we can raise the bar. It's time to normalise that people have a life beyond the desk. Because family is often the reason people show up in the first place. By recognising that people are real - valuable - people, we can reduce stress-related absence and turnover costs significantly. Giving employees more flexibility, such as the four- day week, to manage other aspects of their lives, will allow them to show up at the job more focused; making them more productive and delivering better quality work. This will, of course, benefit both the company as well as the employees."

Do you want to create a better work-life balance for yourself or your employees

​Let’s have a chat! Set up a quick call to see how I can be of service.

PS Did you enjoy this article? You might also enjoy: Why are we so busy?