Table of Contents
Work Life Balance
Balance is important in anything we do. When it comes to a job, work-life balance means achieving an equilibrium between professional and personal life.
This balance is not only about managing time properly. It also means setting boundaries to ensure that work does not affect personal well-being.
Around 72% of employees feel that a healthy work life balance is the top priority for combating toxic work culture. It is important for maintaining productivity, mental health, and overall welfare.
A recent survey of more than 5,000 employees in India found that professionals between 21 and 30 are the most stressed at work, while those between ages 41 and 50 are the most relaxed. On a year-on-year basis, there has been a 31% increase in employees reporting that they suffer from high and extreme stress levels.
The survey also stated that workers between 31-40 were the second most stressed group, with 59.18 percent of them experiencing high levels of anxiety.
That’s why promoting a healthy work-life balance is essential. It enhances employee satisfaction and reduces burnout, helping to achieve organisational goals.
Here are some tried-and-tested strategies for both organisations and employees on how to improve work-life balance.
What is Work Life Balance?
To achieve fulfillment at work and at home, individuals must strike a healthy balance between professional and personal requirements. This state of harmony is crucial for well-being and productivity.
Some Practical Implications
1. Time Management: With a proper work-life balance, time can be allocated between work responsibilities and moments spent with family, friends, and other pleasurable activities.
2. Flexible Work Arrangements: Some employers give employees the choice of working remotely or with flexible hours. For some, this reduces stress and increases job satisfaction.
Mental Health: Nearly 78% of employees experience burnout. With a healthy work-life balance, morale can improve, and attitude towards work remains positive.
3. Personal Relationships: Strong relationships with family and friends increase overall happiness. Individuals stay well-adjusted and capable of living life to the full.
4. Physical Health: A healthy work-life balance means more time for exercise and relaxation. This leads to better overall health, which reduces absenteeism and costs.
5. Company Culture: Companies must strive for a better work culture that attracts talent and reduces attrition rates. Promoting work-life balance is a great way to do this.
Also read: Top 15 Fun Friday Games for Employees
Importance of Work-Life Balance for Employees
The survey mentioned earlier states that all employees report high-stress levels: about 72 percent of female respondents and 53.64% of men. There has been a 31% increase in employees reporting that they suffer from high or extreme stress levels.
Some of the contributors here are poor work-life balance, lack of recognition, constant low morale, and fear of judgment.
A balanced lifestyle reduces stress and generates well-being for employees. As a result, they are more likely to be productive and remain engaged in their jobs.
This attitude can lead to greater job satisfaction. There is a clear difference in motivation and loyalty.
For employers, promoting a better work-life balance leads to an engaged and productive workforce, less absenteeism, and better output.
What’s more, happy employees can lead to lower turnover rates, saving time and resources. Such companies enhance their brand image and become talent magnets.
Quick read: 6 Ways to Beat Stress and Burnout
10 Ways to Improve Work-Life Balance for Your Employees
1. Encourage Flexible Work Schedules
Let employees choose their working hours to manage their professional and personal lives better. This will give them more control over their work and motivate them to work harder.
Benefits for Employees:
- Boosts job satisfaction, which increases employee retention rates
- Improves morale so employees feel more happy at their job
- Leads to better management of personal commitments
Tips for Employers:
- Organise a structure within which flexible working is possible
- Educate employees and discuss the proper use of flexible options
- Review performance and make necessary adjustments
Suggested read: How to Make Flexible Working Hours Easily?
2. Promote Remote Work Opportunities
The option to work from home or elsewhere reduces commuting time and allows for a comfortable work environment.
Benefits for Employees:
- Lower stress levels so employees focus better on tasks
- Improved work-life integration
- Easier management of household responsibilities
Tips for Employers:
- Give employees the necessary remote work tools
- Establish communication channels for meetings and feedback
- Use regular team-building activities
Also read: How to Manage Remote Employees?
3. Offer Paid Time Off
Paid time off allows employees to go on vacation or carry out other personal tasks without financial concerns.
Benefits for Employees:
- Prevents burnout to balance stress levels
- Enhances productivity for better performance
- Promotes healthier work-life balance
Tips for Employers:
- Create a culture that encourages the use of Paid Time Off
- Consider rolling over leave to the next calendar year
- Regularly remind employees to take time off
4. Set Clear Work Boundaries
Defining clear-cut times for work lets employees know when they are expected to be available. It is a positive step to improve poor work life balance.
Benefits for Employees:
- Prevents overwork
- Maintains work-life separation
- Increases job satisfaction for better engagement rates
Tips for Employers:
- Respect after-work employee time
- Make employees feel comfortable discussing work-life balance needs
- Provide training on time management
Suggested read: Employee Fringe Benefits
5. Encourage Regular Breaks During Work Hours
Short breaks throughout the working day allow employees to stay refreshed. They focus better on different tasks and produce quality work that keeps them motivated to work better for the company.
Benefits for Employees:
- Decreases fatigue
- Improves job performance
- Boosts energy for better and faster performance
Tips for Employers:
- Create schedules that incorporate breaks
- Set reminders for breaks
- Promote a culture that discourages non-stop work
Recommended read: 6 Fitness Tips While Working from Home
6. Create a Healthy Workplace Culture
A supportive work environment enhances morale and job satisfaction. A healthy workplace culture makes employees feel valued.
Benefits for Employees:
- Stronger team relationships
- Greater sense of belonging
- Better employee retention
Tips for Employers:
- Hold regular surveys about work attitudes
- Organise team-building activities
- Highlight achievements through awards and notifications
7. Provide Mental Health Support
Making mental health resources available to employees shows a commitment to well-being at work.
Benefits for Employees:
- Helps manage stress
- Improves health and productivity
- Lessons stigma around mental health issues
Tips for Employers:
- Collaborate with external professionals for workshops
- Hold discussions around mental health
- Provide access to counselling services
At Onsurity, we have partnered with companies like Amaha Health, that provide therapeutic counseling at Onsurity-exclusive prices. Thus, ensuring that mental health support is affordably available to all our members.
Relevant read: Mental Healthcare Plans
8. Health and Wellness Programs
Benefits for Employees:
- Improves physical and mental conditions
- Reduces absenteeism
- Enhances job satisfaction
Tips for Employers:
- Find out employee interests and offer programs for the same – for example, yoga and cricket, or learning on the job
- Provide incentives for participation
- Evaluate and adjust the programs regularly
Members of Onsurity can access a wide range of health and wellness programs that they can avail of at exclusive discounted prices.
9. Offer Maternity and Paternity Leaves
Benefits for Employees:
- Reduces stress for new parents
- Allows bonding time with their child
- Promotes family well-being
Tips for Employers:
- Update parental leave policies regularly
- Encourage employees to take advantage of benefits
- Provide resources for new parents
Also read: Paternity Leave in India
10. Child Care Facilities
On-site or accessible child care makes it easy for parents to work without worry.
Benefits for Employees:
- Strikes a balance between work and family
- Reduces stress
- Increases focus and productivity
Tips for Employers:
- Explore nearby child care facilities
- Consider child care allowances
- Get feedback about child care needs
How Employees Can Maintain and Improve Their Work Life Balance
Apart from the initiatives taken by organisations, here are some ways for employees to create a healthy work life balance on their own terms.
- Set Boundaries: Avoid checking work emails or messages outside working hours. It gives you time to switch off.
- Prioritise Tasks: Focus on completing high-priority tasks first to reduce stress when navigating between work and life.
- Time Management: To improve productivity, use time management techniques like Pomodoro (a Timer app that works on a desktop and mobile browser) or time blocking.
- Delegate: If you are in a position to do so, delegate appropriate tasks to team members.
- Take Breaks: Time away from the table helps to refresh and recharge your batteries. Exercising mindfulness is another effective and powerful technique while taking breaks.
- Healthy Lifestyle: To be fit at work or outside of it, follow a proper diet and exercise, plus adequate sleep.
- Say No: At the office, communicate your workload responsibilities and do not take on tasks you cannot comfortably handle.
- Seek Support: If you feel overwhelmed at work, don’t hesitate to get support from fellow employees, friends, or family.
Also read: Group Term Life Insurance for Employees
Onsurity’s Role in Supporting Work Life Balance
Onsurity is a unique health tech company based in India. The platform provides comprehensive healthcare solutions tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
This is to ensure that even the smallest businesses can offer their employees top-notch medical benefits. Offering competitive healthcare benefits will be a major draw for your employees.
We help increase employee satisfaction and retention by providing essential healthcare coverage. Our user-friendly platform makes it easy for both employers and employees to manage healthcare needs. This can lead to a productive and engaged workforce.
By investing in employee healthcare, businesses can contribute to the well-being of their employees and their communities.
1. Wellness Programs for Your Employees
2. Fitness Memberships
They can also take advantage of webinars on fitness, wellness, and yoga by experienced trainers.
3. Mental Health Support
4. Health Checkups and Lab Tests
We believe in the principle laid down by Benjamin Franklin: an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
Our members can book reliable health check-ups and lab tests online at discounted prices in the comfort of their homes. Ailments such as diabetes, eye and ear issues, among others, can be spotted and treated before they become chronic.
5. Helping Employers
Such plans are beneficial and cost-effective. With comprehensive health insurance coverage, employers can show their commitment to the well-being of their employees, which improves overall company morale and job satisfaction.
Conclusion
A healthy work-life balance is essential for individual well-being and organisational success. Both employers and employees can implement many strategies.
How can work-life balance be improved? Employers can start by considering flexible work hours. They can encourage time off and also provide a range of wellness resources for mental and physical health.
Employees can learn to set boundaries between work and home. They can focus on priorities and use tools such as to-do lists to manage responsibilities. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help from colleagues or mentors when feeling overwhelmed.
Both employers and employees need to participate in creating a balanced work environment.
To take action and benefit your employees, request a demo with Onsurity today for more details and practical steps.
FAQs:
1. How employees can achieve work-life balance?
2. What are the five steps to working life balance?
- Set clear boundaries.
- Prioritise tasks.
- Schedule time for breaks.
- Communicate needs.
- Reflect and adjust regularly.
3. How do companies improve work-life balance?
4. How can employers support their employees in achieving work-life balance?
- Encourage physical activities that provide wellness benefits, such as discounts at top gyms that offer various workout formats, including Yoga and Zumba, to keep employees energised and healthy.
- Healthcare plans that go beyond the basics and include benefits, such as doctor consultations, discounted health check-ups, doorstep delivery of medicines, and discounted dental health consultations and screenings.
- Offer regular nutritional guidance and support. Implement programs that offer regular nutritional guidance and support, helping employees make informed dietary choices for a healthier lifestyle.
Onsurity has plans that offer fitness benefits such as tracking daily activity, wellness webinars and discounted check-ups.