The concept of ‘work-life balance’ is not about scheduling an equal number of hours for various professional and personal activities. To expect this is unrealistic. Work-life balance varies with time, often on a daily basis. The right balance for today will probably be different tomorrow. The right balance when one is single will be different when married. It will be completely opposite to when starting a new career and when nearing retirement. In short, work-life balance is different for each of us because we all have different priorities and different lives.
However, at the core of an effective work-life balance are combined forces of achievement and enjoyment. These two factors are very important in identifying the key ingredients that one needs to command a perfect balance on personal and professional front.
Now, the point is how well we understand these two terms. Achievement as we may identify is attaining perfection, continuous learning and ample rewards. And happiness is not about that cheer and laughter, it is something more deep - it means pride, satisfaction, happiness, celebration, love, a sense of well being and joys of living.
Achievement and enjoyment are front and back of the coin of value in life. One can’t have one without the other and trying to live a one-sided life is the reason why successful people are not always as happy as they should be. At work one can create his/her own best work-life balance by making sure that one not only aims at achievements but also focuses on the joy of the job and the joy of life.
A positive attitude is a vital constituent of the balancing act. Even if there is no one to pat you on the back or congratulate on your new success, do it yourself. Tell yourself – “ I just want to achieve something today and I want to enjoy something today. And if I do both of those things today, I’m going to have a pretty good day.”
A part from individual rejuvenation, the other determinant of a balanced work: life equation is the support of the employer. Office 2004, is no longer the old over-burdened and dead storehouse of files, computers and disillusioned people. It is much more spacious, flexible and revolves around employee enrichment. No doubts, the HR policies today are focused on making the work place more fun. But most of the companies limit it to swanky interiors and world class facilities.
One point that every organisation should be clear about is that people are looking out for themselves, they want quality of life and time for family. Overworked and overstressed employees are more likely to get sick and have high absentee rates. A lack of work-life balance affects an employee’s attitude. Unhappy workers are typically less efficient and can destroy morale. Most importantly, burnout directly affects the turnover rates. Employee burnout is caused by a number of things, including an employee’s own abilities, their workload, their responsibilities and how much support they have in the workplace.
Here are a few steps that can improve the work-life balance for the staff while at the same time keeping the company profitable -
Monitor workplace stress
Stress has emerged as the no.1 health and safety issue. An excellent way of lessening the stress is to break down barriers between managers and staff, as many employees still feel intimidated and threatened by their immediate bosses. A relaxed work culture might just not be enough, cut down unnecessary pressure to perform and introduce stress bursting sessions. Many companies already have bought in Yoga, meditation, medical aids and naturopathy to the office.
Flexi work hours
Offering flexi-working to employees is a good way of letting them balance their lives. Infact, flexible working practices have positive benefits both on employers and employees. Hughes, a leading multinational based in Gurgaon has suitably provided its employees with work as you wish option. The company has an ongoing and technically advancing software and IT department and employees are free to join a shift that suits them.
Many companies recognise that staff retention is a major priority, particularly in areas where there are skills’ shortages. A willingness to offer reduced hours, job shares and annualised hours brings about higher profits and higher productivity.
Time off for special occasions
Time off is always greatly appreciated. Consider giving employees time off on their birthdays, holidays or other special occasions. But be careful that comp time is distributed fairly, and that it benefits all the employees. A complimentary birthday off, theme parties and small family picnics are great ways of mixing professional life with personal life.
Active Communication
Training managers, developing clear guidelines, communicating programs and policies are essential for arrangement of effective and viable interactions between employees and employers. These arrangements have positive impact on the workplace and help employees balance work and family.
One must not succumb to procrastination and should immediately intimate the employers if they are feeling uncertain and caught in the workplace and juggling between office files and personal bonds would be as swift as a swan flight! . Thanks meera |
