Worklife Balance
One would be hard pressed in today's business culture to avoid the term “worklife balance”. Employee surveys and research have shown that a more flexible working arrangement will decrease the likelihood of high staff turnover rates and increase employee wellbeing and loyalty to a company. With these trends have come demands from lawyers for more balance between their work and personal lives.
Worklife balance policies aim to create a flexible work environment in which employers can effectively manage these demands.
For employees and their families a worklife balance provides the opportunity for:
- Increased job satisfaction
- Less stress
- Better health
- Improved family and personal relationships
- Greater control of competing responsibilities
For firms, providing worklife balance options:
- Increases the chances of retaining high-quality staff
- Reduces absenteeism and stress-related sick leave
- Increases morale and motivation
- Enhances productivity.
Worklife balance policies will be unique to each firm, however many can offer the following flexible arrangements:
- Flexible hours and leave
- Study leave
- Career breaks
- Part-time employment and job share
- Working from home
- Training on ways to properly manage time and priorities
- Corporate fitness programs, e.g. gym membership, yoga classes, Quit programs
- Access to counselling, known commonly as Employee Assistance Programs
In order to reduce burn out and excessive stress, it is important to consider the following tips:
- Exercising regularly is a great way to reduce unwanted stress and strain
- Ensure a good diet (healthy body healthy mind)
- Consider a career break (especially if you have transferred straight from school to university)
- Avoid conflict in the workplace whenever possible