How to improve work/life balance for employees

THE elusive work-life balance is something many strive to achieve.

This balance sees us seeking to manage both our obligations to our employer as well as the desire to meet our commitments to others and ourselves.

This balance should be a simple task. However it is very challenging due to competing priorities and commitments, such as work expectations and deadlines, family, mortgage payments and the ever-increasing cost of living.

This drive for balance can result in poor worker wellbeing, mental health issues, absenteeism and presenteeism due to exhaustion and stress associated with juggling work and life commitments.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 Census data indicates that 19 per cent of Australian workers spend between 35-39 hours, and 43 per cent per spend 40 hours or more, a week at work. Those in manual labour roles, construction and trades, work the longest hours in the country. Furthermore, these statistics indicate that the construction industry, technicians and trades log some of the longest work hours, with many working more than 50 hours each week.

The Australian Workplace Barometer report indicates an increasing number of mental health issues and increase in worker compensation claims and costs across industries. It identifies the challenges that threaten work-life balance due to confusion and difficulties in the distinction between work, recovery, and leisure time.

The balance between work and personal life is different for each person. Employers and HR professionals can assist with this balance if they have an understanding of worker needs by using seeking feedback on improve practices, enhancing worker wellbeing and reducing negative impacts.

Engaging employees on creating policies and procedures that support flexibility in work goes a long way in supporting employees to be less stressed and happier people.

Options may include working from home, choice for overtime, accrual of time for later use, and opportunity for

ACHIEVING WORK-LIFE BALANCE IS VERY CHALLENGING DUE TO COMPETING PRIORITIES AND COMMITMENTS, SUCH AS WORK EXPECTATIONS, DEADLINES AND FAMILY

employees to discuss their needs and concerns. While the focus is often on the ability to spend more time on external factors, workplaces that have good recruitment practices, invest in training and development, address psychosocial risks, and provide employees with a positive and supportive workplace culture, further increase benefits for both parties.

Working with employees to improve the balance between their work and personal lives can improve worker wellbeing work life for the organisation.