Two Sides of Achieving a Work-Life Balance
The work landscape has faced many changes since the beginning of the pandemic. Work and home lives were forced under the same roof, and many of us are pulled in many directions as we struggle to find the balance between parenting, running errands, socializing, and working. Some may have been able to master the art of working remotely, but there are still those who struggle to find a way to switch off their "always-on" mentality. Moreover, despite the perks of not working in the office, many professionals feel burnt out, overworked, and stressed. How do you avoid this from happening to your employees in this era of hybrid work?
First, let's have a quick look at some of the benefits of supporting a better work-life balance for your employees to see why it is important.
Helping your employees maintain a healthy work-life balance increases their engagement at work and decreases burnout rate. It can even be a way for you to attract top talent and retain the best ones within as you may be considered a people company that values employees and their well-being.
Going back to the question 'how,' the typical move to offer flexible working hours will always be on the list, but there's more to it than that. Here are some ways to support your employees in getting the balance right.
GIVE EMPLOYEES TIME TO RECHARGE
Let them enjoy their days off, and encourage them to take short but well-deserved regular breaks throughout the working day at home just the way you let them chat with a coworker in the hallway or refill their coffee when in the office. It may not have as noticeable an impact as taking a holiday, but short breaks have their own benefits, like helping one recover from fatigue and regain focus.
FOCUS ON PRODUCTIVITY RATHER THAN HOURS
Working more is not the same as being productive. Instead of having your employees put in extra hours or focusing on the number of hours they work, encourage them to work more efficiently and shift your focus to their performance, accomplishments, contributions, and the results of their day's work. However, don't forget to show them that you respect and value them as people and for who they are, rather than what they've done.
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EVERY EMPLOYEE HAS DIFFERENT PRIORITIES AND ARE IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
Your employees have different priorities and chores when at home, and not all of them have a work-friendly environment or neighborhood, so remember to be considerate and sensitive. Instead of setting high expectations, ask your people about their situation and what they need first. With this, you can tailor-fit strategies, policies, and adjustments to ensure that they have the right balance.
PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH
Supporting your employees' healthy work-life balance will not be that effective if you don't have the right balance yourself. Take your own advice and show them how it's done through your actions and behavior. Avoid working extra hours, set your boundaries and stick to them, turn off your "always-on" work mode during your days off, and let them mirror your practices.
With that settled, it's also important to understand that work-life balance is not just the responsibility of leaders and managers but also of individuals. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy a great work-life balance as an employee.
TAKE A STEP BACK
Taking time off in between work helps you deal with stress. Schedule your lunch breaks, establish boundaries regarding your hours of availability, go for a walk even for a few minutes, and clear your mind to allow yourself to get back to your work with a fresh focus.
SET BOUNDARIES, WORK SMARTER, AND UNPLUG
Take control of your day. Set reasonable and realistic limits for yourself, always assess what you have to do and what you can do in a day's work (a to-do list may come in handy), and don't forget to unplug after. Identifying your tasks early on will help you work efficiently and improve your time-management skills, while breaking the habit of being online all the time after work will allow you to unwind and enjoy your downtime free of work notifications.
ACCEPT THE NOT-SO-OKAY DAYS THE WAY YOU ACCEPT THE PRODUCTIVE ONES
There will be days when you'll feel under the weather and you may feel guilty about it. Well, I'm here to tell you that it's totally normal and it's okay to not be productive all the time. So don't force yourself, and don't beat yourself up for it. Instead of dwelling on it, cut yourself some slack and take this opportunity to rest, change your environment, or find your productivity anchors to finish even the smallest of tasks and get yourself going again.
And there you have it. Just remember to get your priorities straight, take breaks, and aim to maintain balance throughout your personal and professional lives. After all, the quest to attain the perfect balance between work and life is a cycle, not an achievement.
