By Debbie Wale-Temowo
Work Life Balance (WLB) is one topic of discuss that won’t be going away anytime soon as the context and environment of work continue to take on different moulds.
Despite the seeming exhaustive variants of information out there, WLB means different things to different people and several factors contribute to the mix. The generation you fall into, your occupation, your present stage in life, family type, presence of children and their ages, habits, the size of your pocket what you do outside of work, the prevalent pandemic conditions (lockdown, remote work, hybrid work, etc.), and the list goes on.
So, in writing this piece, I have had to look inward, considered the many tales of colleagues and friends, different opinions picked up here and there and what I have observed. I write not as an expert in this field but as an employee. Here we go!
Work-Life-Balance: Myth or Reality?
Is it possible to arrive at that perfect WLB destination? I wish a quick “Yes” answer would fit. But with the office workload staring you in the face, everyday chores, and your long
bucket list, it is easier to see WLB as a myth — that one destination of sweet harmony with work and life in which employees wish to bask for life.
Is WLB achievable then? Absolutely! The reality is that we all have attained WLB at different times of our lives. Remember that week that you felt so fulfilled, and each day seemed to just run perfectly? No burnout at the end, daily plans achieved without a grind, lots of laughter with family and friends, you even managed to squeeze in a “me” time. You wished the week would not end! The wonder, however, is how quickly we lose it.
If you have tasted the satisfying and fulfilling experience once, then it is important to find that formula to remain there as long as possible. The result is always a win-win for the employee and employer.
Achieving Work-Life-Balance as an Employee
WLB for an employee means less stress levels, little or no burnout, increased self-esteem and wellbeing, better sleep routine, mental alertness, productivity, etc. You can achieve these and more when you:
· Understand what WLB truly means for you in your peculiar space.
· Monitor your typical work week. Keep a log of your activities (on and off work) for a week, noting how much time was spent on what.
· Plan your desirable work week. What would you like your ideal week to look like?
· Draw up a realistic schedule that works for you.
· Love what you call “work”. In case you are struggling as a lot of employees do, find ways to stay motivated daily — look for persuasive reasons to show up.
· Watch your space, set your atmosphere and eliminate toxicity.
· Take that vacation! The work never stops.
· Pay attention to your health. You will need it to show up productive every day!
Dear Employer, you can support your employees to achieve a practicable WLB in these interesting times
According to Chris Chancey, Founder and CEO of Amplio Recruiting, employers who are committed to providing environments that support work-life balance for their employees can save on costs, experience fewer cases of absenteeism, and enjoy a more loyal and productive workforce.
Here are a few ways your organisation can show care and provide support for your employees in pursuit of WLB:
· Deliberately make WLB a company culture.
· Train and retrain line managers with the requisite knowledge and skills.
· Don’t assume remote work = less work = less productivity
· Eliminate key man risks. Have a succession plan.
· Ensure you have a functional, dynamic, and an up-to-date HR that ensures employees well-being.
· Keep a close eye on your leave management. Have a leave plan, and closely monitor to ensure staff are taking the needed breaks. · Adopt an easy-to-use, flexible, and secure HR solution like HumanManager for your team anywhere they are.
A consistent WLB is possible if both employees and employers work together to make it happen. “Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible and suddenly, you are doing the impossible” (Francis of Assisi). Get started today at www.humanmanager.net.