The Need To Maintain Work-life Balance
With most modern organisations following a hybrid working model after the pandemic, there has been a drastic improvement in employees' work-life balance over the past few years. However, there is still a lot of scope for progress. More importantly, as employees consider work-life balance as a critical factor in job switch, employers need to make an effort to build a positive work-life balance for their workforce.
According to Statista, 72 per cent of employees looking out for a job consider work-life balance a critical component before making a final choice. According to FlexJob research, 79 per cent of employees believe that a flexible job increases work-life balance and reduces stressful days at work.
Importance of Work-Life Balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is not just necessary for a healthy life outside work; it is a critical contributor to improving employee productivity and the performance of an organisation. Without a healthy work-life balance, an organisation will end up with a burned-out workforce with low motivation, lack of focus and poor performance.
Organisations that can achieve a positive work-life balance for their employees also build a better employer reputation in the process, which helps attract and retain good talent. At the same time, the workforce with a positive work-life balance has fewer health problems, is highly engaged and more mindful of their work commitments.
How to improve work-life balance?
With the evolvement of technology, employees are expected to be available round the clock, sharing instant replies to emails and messages. However, organizations must understand that no individualcan consistently work in such an ecosystem in the long run. Here are some of the steps employers and employees can take to improve the work-life balance:
For employers
Organisations must set ground rules to motivate employees towards a positive work-life balance. The top management needs to drive this change.
As employees are more likely to follow the behaviour and practices the top management follows than what is written in the company policy, leaders must emulate the behaviour they expect from their employees.
Employers can create a positive work environment where small breaks and annual leaves are encouraged, followed by an efficient feedback mechanism to make the necessary changes.
For employees
Employees also need to understand that a job is a part of their lives. Focusing on health, family, and following a passion outside work is equally important.
All these can only be achieved if an employee consciously strives to achieve a positive work-life balance.These aspects not only keep an individual's personality balanced and not centred around work, but it also helps to take a long-term perspective on one's career and growth.
Initiatives like taking short breaks during the day and following a passion outside the job can help achieve a better work-life balance.
Organisations that build a positive work-life balance end up with a motivated workforce that does not feel burned out and is more mindful of their actions. All these factors play an integral role in driving the organisation's performance in the long run.
CEO & Co-Founder, Gizmore
