A bad day at work can disturb your mental peace and reduce productivity for the next day as well. But if you continue to have bad days at work of the excess pressure and poor time structure, can you deliver your best? It gets difficult to cope when the workspace becomes a cage and the pressure gets abnormal. Employees look for better opportunities to leave the company that does not provide a healthy balance between their work life and personal life.
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Understanding healthy work-life balance
Everyone has heard the term ‘healthy work-life balance, but how many people actually have it? In the end, it is all in the head! If your headspace gets occupied with only work-related thoughts and you do not get spare time to live your life, it is an unhealthy work-life ratio. The work-life balance does not only depend on the time you spend at the office. It means how much of your headspace is always filled with thoughts related to work and office pressure.
Value professional and personal commitments – Allowing an employee to stay connected to the work only during office hours is a sign of a healthy work-life balance. Providing the employees a chance to take a day off without worrying is an example of a healthy work-life balance. In simple terms, valuing the personal commitments of the employees at par with their professional commitments helps in maintaining a balance. It helps them work harder and accomplish better for the company they work in.
The workspace does not necessarily need to be an enclosure where employees get forced to work under pressure without finding time to focus on other life aspects. What matters is what they yield at the end of the day! Think from their perspective and recognize why a healthy work-life balance is crucial for an employee and employer to ensure optimal productivity.
Benefits for the employee –
- Fewer health issues: If you are unwell, you fail to work with optimal focus and dedication. A better work-life balance where you can take paid leaves and rest leaves helps you take care of your personal life and health.
- Better mental health: If your mind space is not occupied with work-related anxiety, you get less mental fatigue. A healthy work-life balance eliminates brain clogs that affect work rate and productivity. You can work diligently when your mind is less anxious and worried.
- A social life: A person earns money through their professional service to enjoy their life. If an employee turns into a money-making machine, they lose the purpose. So, having a balanced social life out of their workspace is crucial. It helps them segregate their priorities and focus on work to earn more for a better living. Otherwise, they burn out and grow reluctant to work better.
- Work flexibility: You can manage the working hours better and not compromise on your household commitments. It helps bring peace of living and working without added pressure. It motivates employees to work hard and finish within time to spend the free hours living a social life.
- Less anxiety: Work-related anxiety damages the mental health of employees. As a result, they lose focus and look for scopes to escape the company. With a healthy balance between work and personal life, they can work with a healthy mind and concentrate.
Benefits for the employer –
- Dedication and focus: A balance between professional and personal commitments helps an employee stay devoted during working hours. They do not compromise on the quality of work and, thus, you get the best output.
- High employee retention: When you offer employees benefits that reflect your concern about valuing their personal life choices and requirements, they grow attached to the company. They work hard and grow loyal, increasing the employee retention rate. It is a long-term goal and helps both.
- Motivated workforce: Employees satisfied with their workspace policies and offerings work better for the company. For example, offer an extensive and comprehensive healthcare plan to share the financial burden of the medical cost for their family members. It is also an act of balancing work and life that motivates an employee to work diligently and ensure such benefits.
- Productivity booster: Productivity depends on the job satisfaction of the employee. Any employee wants a balanced work schedule and pressure to escape work-related worries when they step out of the office. It allows them to bounce back stronger the next day to the workspace.
- Happy workspace: Sorted priorities and the commitment balance brings fulfillment. It is vital for enhancing productivity and work. Focus on making a workspace happy and balanced so the employees can enjoy working for the company without compromising on their family commitments.
Should you focus on bringing a better balance?
If you are responsible for drafting employee-centric policies in a company, keep a check on the work-life balance aspect. It is the ultimate difference-maker, pushing an employee to work dedicatedly for the company. Focus on developing a healthy balance and a happy workspace where employees can leave the professional anxieties at the office and continue living their life. To help you out, here are some tips to improve work-life balance for employees –
- Time management: Provide flexible working hours to ensure better responsiveness towards work. It helps bring dedicated focus to work when they do not have to worry about rushing home after the office. They can manage both peacefully and do not reduce the quality of work productivity.
- Encourage paid-time-off: Do not restrict employees from taking leaves for personal commitment. An employee needs a break from work to bounce back with more energy for the service. Bring a balanced approach to the leave policies and eliminate the absenteeism issues.
- Communicate to understand: Talk to the employees and understand their expectations of having a healthy work-life balance. Incorporate changes in the policies and focus on providing employee benefits and perks that exhibit appreciation towards their service.
Key takeaway – Better balance, better productivity!
Take a step to ensure a healthy mindset of an employee at their workplace and value their family commitments. Boost employee engagement and productivity by allowing them to live their lives simultaneously!
