Work-life balance is defined as the achievement of equality between time spent working and one’s personal life. Dictionary.com: Work-life balance
A 2008 Hudson survey of over 1,600 U.S. employees revealed that work-life balance trumps compensation when it comes to considering a job offer. Twenty-nine percent believe work-life balance is the most important factor while only 22% give compensation that honor. Hudson: In the Game of Hiring, Flexible Employers Win
The results of the American Psychology Association’s 2010 Stress in America Survey showed that while average stress levels remained the same as 2009, fewer employees said they were satisfied with the ways their employers were helping them balance their work and personal lives. American Psychology Association: Stress in America Survey, Key Findings
Advances in technology give employees more flexibility to work from home, yet for some these blurred lines between home and work have resulted in more work-life conflict. Boswell, Wendy, and Julie Olson-Buchanan. “The Use of Communication Technologies After Hours: The Role of Work Attitudes and Work-Life Conflict.” Journal of Management 33.4 (2007): 592-608.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a decrease in productivity is one of the most visible effects of employee burnout, resulting from an improper work-life balance. Mayo Clinic: Job Burnout
Research conducted by the Corporate Executive Board (CEB) and reported by Bloomberg Business Week indicates that employees who feel they have a good work-life balance work 21% harder than those who don’t. Bloomberg Business Week: The Increasing Call for Work-Life Balance
According to the Harvard Business Review, the announcement of work-life initiatives now has a positive effect in the stock market, averaging a .48% increase. For a $5 billion dollar company, that’s a $24 million value. Harvard Business Review: The Case for Work-Life Programs
How do you balance work and family life? Work-life programs can be highly effective according to a study conducted by the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation. Seventy-five percent of employees who indicated they had a high level of managerial support for work-life balance would remain with their companies the following year. Business and Professional Women’s Foundation: The State of Work-Life Effectiveness
A possible drawback to work-life programs can be the stigma associated with workers who take advantage of these programs. Leslie Perlow writing for The Washington Post suggests also working as a team to change workplace expectations for what constitutes a valuable employee. The Washington Post: Why Work-life Balance Doesn’t Work
Some ways individuals can help balance their personal lives with work include scheduling downtime, outsourcing household chores and cutting out wasteful activities. WebMD: 5 Tips for Better Work-Life Balance
According to research conducted by the Corporate Executive Board (CEB), costly programs like on-site gyms and daycare facilities only benefit 20% of employees while inexpensive initiatives that involve “the gift of time” (i.e. flexible schedules) are valued by employees the most. Bloomberg Business Week: The Increasing Call for Work-Life Balance
Two of the most productive work-life initiatives include letting employees pick their own starting time or work from home. Inc. Magazine: How to Improve Your Employees Work-Life Balance
When leaders set clear priorities, employees find it easier to manage their tasks over time, leading to a better work-life balance. HR World: 16 Ways to Encourage Work-Life Balance
It is possible to balance work and family life. Giving employees time-off after an especially arduous project or for a birthday can increase morale and encourage participation for the next project. All Business: Helping Employees Maintain Work/Life Balance