Thank you for listening to The Champion Forum Podcast with Jeff Hancher! A recent national survey showed that 68% of employees prefer work-life balance over higher pay. A recent debate has developed between employees who believe their work day should stop at 5 pm and those who believe working overtime is normal and expected. As people start to place a higher value on work-life balance, how can businesses meet their employee’s needs while moving toward their objectives? Today, we’ll talk about ways you can improve your employees’ work-life balance and ensure your company respects your employees’ time.
Work-life balance means something different to everyone. The most valuable thing your business can do is talk to its employees about how they define work-life balance and how they would know they were happy with the balance they achieved. While I cannot give you the answers for your specific team or company, these global insights will help you get started.
1. Flexibility in Where and When They Work
According to LinkedIn's Global Talent Trends report, 92% of employees want flexibility in where they work, and 80% want flexibility in when they work.
Implementation ideas: Are you able to offer adaptable start and end times? Could you offer remote work for employees whose tasks do not require in-office presence?
2. Increased Control Over Their Work Schedules
A Gartner survey found that 55% of employees want greater control over their schedules, believing this helps them be more productive and less stressed. Schedule autonomy is highly valued as it enables better balance their personal needs with their work responsibilities.
Implementation Ideas: Could the answer be to focus on output, not hours? You can shift your focus by setting clear expectations so people know what outcomes are expected without you micromanaging their time spent on tasks. You can also help employees prioritize their workload to focus on high-impact tasks without being bogged down by “busy work.”
3. Clear Boundaries and Reduced After-Hours Work
According to the American Psychological Association's Work and Well-being Survey, 65% of employees reported that they expect clear guidelines for after-hours work and communications. This suggests that employees are looking for leadership to actively discourage “always-on” availability.
Implementation Ideas: Encourage your employees to take breaks, walk, or work in an entirely different part of the office. Then, ensure that you, the leader, enjoy a healthy work-life balance too. Leave the office on time, take breaks, and stop emailing your team outside of office hours. Emergencies happen, but you should avoid regularly expecting them to deliver work outside their regular shift.
4. Workplace Wellness Programs
A Gallup Study showed that 87% of employees consider wellness programs vital, and 70% feel they positively impact their job satisfaction.
Implementation Ideas: Mental health support, gym memberships, and stress management workshops improve work-life balance and well-being. To get everyone involved, consider a friendly competition or invite your team to sign up for a 5k together.
5. Paid Time Off and Mental Health Days
The SHRM Employee Benefits Survey found that 82% of employees believe having paid mental health days is crucial for balancing their personal lives with work. Additionally, more employees want to see their organizations encourage the use of PTO without stigma or added pressure.
Implementation Ideas: Can you afford to give your staff more time off? Or, more importantly, can you afford not to? Encourage workers to take their time off within the holiday year by preventing them from carrying over holidays or by capping how many days they can carry over. Successful organizations ensure everyone has the support to take off their allotted days.
6. Reduced Work Hours Over Higher Pay
45% of employees say they would accept a reduction in salary if it meant achieving better work-life balance, according to a study by Deloitte. This shows that balance is valued highly, sometimes even more than financial compensation.
Implementation Ideas: I’m not telling you to pay people less. I am telling you that people care more about time off. Some companies offer alternate schedules (7-3 instead of 9-5 for parents or half-days on Fridays). Employees can also feel they have more time for what they care about when they can work from home and avoid a busy commute. How else could you creatively approach creating extra time for your employees?
7. Childcare and Family Support
In a report by McKinsey, 75% of working parents expressed that access to childcare support or more family leave options would significantly improve their work-life balance. Creating more family-friendly policies, like paid leave and childcare solutions, will significantly affect employee satisfaction.
Childcare needs are a large reason companies lose key employees, especially women. Company subsidized childcare allows employees to pay a fraction of what they would at an off-site daycare and reduce commute times.
Implementation Ideas: What programs could you offer to help reduce the childcare burden for parents? What roles could be flexible or part-time? You might not be able to go to this extent, but it does beg the question of what you can do. Talk to the parents on your team about what would help them most.
8. Career Growth Without Sacrificing Balance
According to LinkedIn, 76% of employees reported wanting career advancement opportunities that do not negatively impact their work-life balance. This suggests that career growth needs to be structured in ways that respect personal time rather than adding excessive pressure or longer hours. These statistics reveal that employees are increasingly looking for more than fexible schedules. They want respect for their time, mental health, and family obligations as a part of a well-rounded and sustainable work-life balance.
Implementation Ideas: Ensure that your higher-level positions are related to levels of responsibility, not work hours. Hold your managers and executives to the same boundaries (no emails before 8 am or after 5 pm, or a minimum window for last-minute requests). What boundaries could you implement across your company to show employees that individual contributors and leaders alike are able and encouraged to have a good work-life balance?
Reassess Your Perks
Years ago, companies started putting in ping-pong tables and open concept offices. Today, employees are looking for different perks. The best companies constantly assess the perks they offer and ensure they are well-received by their employees.
Subsidized gym membership or free fitness classes
A discount at the dry cleaners
Massages in the office
Helping staff with their tax returns or tax support
Supplemental insurance to help with doula care during pregnancy and the first few weeks postpartum
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