Organizations serious about attracting and retaining top talent must develop a culture that supports better work-life balance.
According to the global Randstad Employer Brand Research 2017 report, good work-life balance was third on the list of the ten most important attributes of a potential employer, just after an attractive salary and benefits, and long-term job security. After that were a pleasant work atmosphere, career progression opportunities, financial health, flexible work arrangements, good training, conveniently located and strong management/leadership. The report states, “People are becoming increasingly stressed as they try to ‘have it all’–be active parents, have a good job and be healthy.”
The Gallup State of the American Workplace 2017 report revealed that “More than half of employees (53%) say a role that allows them to have greater work-life balance is ‘very important’ to them when considering whether to take a new job.” In Inc. Magazine’s article, This Is Why Millennials Care So Much About Work-Life Balance, millennial expert, author and speaker Ryan Jenkins writes that many millennials define success as having control over how and when they work and also accumulating various life experiences–which is dependent on a workplace that values balance.
Better Balance Benefits and Policies to Consider
How do organizations help employees navigate their responsibilities at work and home while they enjoy leisure activities and take care of themselves? Many employers are offering:
- Flexible schedules and compressed workweeks
- Remote working
- Wellness programs tied to incentives
- Generous parental leave packages
- Encouragement to take all vacation days
- Onsite or nearby daycare, workout facilities and other conveniences
- Policies to restrict email responses or unnecessary meetings
To see what other companies are doing right, read Indeed’s Top Rated Companies for Work/Life Balance in 2018.
Going Beyond Benefits to Behavior
Creating better balance goes both ways: from the top down and the bottom up. When you increase employees’ awareness, they can prioritize what matters most, change their behaviors and make more conscious choices. And they will inspire others to do the same.
In my leadership program, Work-Life Balance Wisdom: The Why, What and How of Better Balance, leadership program, I show participants how to manage their energy; clear out the physical, technical and emotional clutter that gets in the way; and be more mindful. The strategies I recommend are easy to apply and provide immediate relief. For example, most people are burdened by unnecessary obligations that keep them out of balance. Here’s a simple hack for more time and energy, from a recent program I presented at Georgia Power.
To learn more about how I can support your organization, contact me.
What do you or your organization do to enjoy better balance? Share it here!
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