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What does a healthy work-life balance actually look like?

Finding a healthy work-life balance that works can be difficult. Dividing our time so that we can tend to both our professional and personal responsibilities while also prioritising our health and wellbeing is tough, and occasionally overwhelming.

First and foremost, it’s important to be kind to yourself and understand that you will likely have to reconsider how you manage work and life on a fairly regular basis. This is down to the unexpected and every-changing nature of life – sometimes things are busy and stressful, and other times they are quiet and allow for relaxation and reflection.

Unfortunately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” work-life split that works for everyone. We are all unique and so need to find what works for us. But in general, a healthy work-life balance should allow you to accommodate the following:

1. Spending quality time with loved ones and engaging in meaningful relationships.
2. Pursuing personal interests, hobbies, and activities that provide relaxation and fulfilment.
3. Having time for rest, relaxation, and self-care to recharge physically and mentally to help you bring your best self to wrk.
4. Fulfilling work responsibilities and achieving professional goals without excessive stress or burnout.
5. Setting boundaries between your work and personal life.
6. Feeling satisfied and fulfilled both at work and at home by creating a balanced life.

Benefits of maintaining a healthy work-life balance

As we've touched on, striking a healthy balance between work and personal time isn't easy. However, the benefits are endless. Not least, it allows employees adequate time to fulfil their responsibilities in all aspects of their lives. Here are some of the other ways a positive work-life balance can transform your company! 

Better physical and mental health among your workforce

• As an employer, you have a duty of care to your employees that involves helping them find a work-life balance that won’t lead to burnout or affect their mental health negatively. If you can achieve this, you’ll certainly find that your workforce is healthier, happier, more productive and genuinely content in their roles. In fact, studies have shown that people with a healthy work-life balance were less susceptible to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Improved retention and reduce absenteeism:

• When employees feel that their personal lives are respected and valued, they are more likely to remain at the company for longer. Additionally, a healthy work-life balance reduces stress and burnout, leading to improved job satisfaction and lower rates of absenteeism. Employees who feel they have the flexibility to manage their work and personal responsibilities are more likely to be present and productive, contributing to a positive and sustainable work culture with happy and engaged employees.

Improved performance at work

• A good work-life balance has been proven to lead to higher levels of job satisfaction, motivation, and a generally more productive workforce. You may be surprised to discover that workers with a strong work-life balance show 21% higher productivity.

Stronger relationships

• A strong work-life balance allows people to spend quality time with family and friends. This can contribute to overall wellbeing, and stop people from feeling that their work is becoming detrimental to their relationships and personal time.

Organisations become better equipped to attract and retain top talent

• It’s no secret that companies which promote a healthier work-life balance are more attractive to job seekers. Organisations that can show they value their employees personal lives and responsibilities are always more attractive destinations for job seekers – at the end of the day, people want to feel that all aspects of their lives are respected and supported by their employers!

One study found that a third (33 per cent) of workers consider work-life balance to be the most “crucial consideration” when looking for their next role.

Factors that can cause a poor work-life balance and how they can affect employee health and wellbeing

There are several factors that can contribute to a poor or unhealthy work-life balance. Here, we've put together a list of practices that are likely to do so, and affect employee wellbeing in the process.

Absence of remote or flexible working options

We understand that some jobs require people to come into their place of work everyday. However, it can be helpful to consider the impact lengthy commutes, work-life conflicts, and a lack of flexibility in managing personal responsibilities can have on employee health and mental wellbeing – so try to be as flexible as you can!

A lack of consideration for or neglect of employees’ personal lives

As an manager, the relationship you have with your team is primarily work-based, but it’s important to check in with employees and acknowledge how events in their personal lives can affect their work. Employees who have completely impersonal relationships with their managers will find it hard to trust and confide in them. The fact that 47% of people say that problems in their personal lives sometimes affect their work shows that the two can never be completely separate.

Unreasonable demands

Jobs that require constant attention, involve high levels of work-related stress, or have unrealistic deadlines can make it difficult for employees to disconnect from work and find time for family and other aspects of their lives.

Forcing employees to work long and inflexible working hours

One study revealed a connection between people who were consistently overworked throughout their career and poorer physical health in later life, and that flexible hours (adjusted start/end times or even shifted lunch breaks) can help prevent long-term health issues.

A workplace culture that celebrates overworking

Workplaces that celebrate overworking can put pressure on employees to prioritise their work at the expense of their personal time. Of course, this is okay if it suits the needs and ambitions of the individual, but constant overworking and a lack of time for self-care and personal relationships can have serious repercussions for employees.

Offer a lack of support for staff

Insufficient support from managers or colleagues, whether it's in terms of workload management or emotional support, can cause employees to feel isolated, overwhelmed and neglected. Check out our HR handbooks for effective strategies and guidance on how to support your employees!

7 Strategies managers can employ to strike the ideal work-life balance for their employees

At Fertifa, we understand that every workplace is unique with its own set of people and demands. Sadly, this means there is no universal blueprint for striking the perfect work-life balance, and employers will have to consider what is best for them and their employees.

Despite this, we've put together a list of seven proven strategies that we believe apply to and can make a difference in every workplace. Hopefully, you'll find some of these useful and effective - please don't hesitate to reach out if you need more support!

1. Offer flexible and/or remote working options

Flexible work schedules or remote working arrangements can help employees take greater control over their schedules, reduce time spent commuting, enable them to fulfil their personal responsibilities and attend important personal appointments. Some people are also more productive or comfortable working from home, and so allowing them to do so will be beneficial for the individual and your organisation! Flexible work arrangements or adjustable start and end times have also shown to improve job satisfaction and retention, with 75% of employers reporting a positive effect on people wanting to stay in their roles.

2. Reconsider the support you are offering working parents

Working parents have additional stresses, responsibilities and people who rely on them, and so it’s important employers put support structures in place to help them manage. Here are some steps you can take to help them find a good work-life balance:

• A 2023 report found that one in ten working parents were forced to leave their roles in order to care for their children. Support for childcare is a great way to lessen the burden and retain employees

• Parent-focused Employee Resource Groups provide a safe, open space for working parents to open up about their challenges, and share strategies that they have adopted to help build a better work-life balance. Find out how to up an ERG for parents here.
• Put clear policies in place which reassure working parents that they are supported, and point them towards the support services available to them. You can check out our parental leave policy guide and template here!

3. Invite regular feedback

Inviting feedback is always a good idea, especially when it comes to understanding your employees’ feelings towards their work-life balance. The sad reality is that almost half of workers (47%) have never been asked by their employer what will improve their experiences. You can make sure your employees feel heard by conducting surveys, arranging regular 1-2-1 meetings and providing opportunities for anonymous feedback.

4. Create a supportive workplace culture

It’s crucial that employees who feel overworked and unable to invest time in their personal lives are comfortable speaking to their HR teams and managers so that the right adjustments and arrangements can be made. Here are three simple changes you can make to help create a more positive work environment:

1. Encourage open communication: Whether it’s during 1-2-1s or at group meetings, remind employees that your door is always open, and that any concerns or issues they have will be taken seriously.
2. Be tough on bullying, harassment, and exclusion: Negative practices like these have no place in the workplace and can cause employees to feel isolated and undervalued. It’s important to clarify that such practices won’t be tolerated and to address issues when you first see them begin to appear.
3. Promote and celebrate diversity and inclusion: Creating a culture that recognises difference and promotes inclusion will help employees feel seen, understood, and not subject to discrimination.

If you can create a supportive workplace culture using strategies like those listed above, employees will feel that they can come to you to discuss how they are balancing work with their personal lives and where they could use more support.

For more inspiration, check out our article on how employers can create a culture that looks after employee mental health and wellbeing.

5. Offer benefits and perks

Benefits, perks, resources and services that are provided by employers are, in part, put in place to enable employees to better manage their personal and professional lives. They can range from discounted gym memberships, social events, office lunches, and health and wellbeing benefits. Whatever the case, they are designed to prevent employees from having to spend time seeking out and funding those services themselves, and ultimately have more time to dedicate towards whatever they choose!

A 2022 study found that 88% of employees believe workplace benefits (other than salary) improve their work-life balance.

Check out our article on the benefits you need to attract and retain female employees.

6. Encourage employees to use their annual leave

We understand that the amount of annual leave allowance employees choose to use is entirely up to them, and not up to managers. However, it can be useful to remind ourselves of the purpose of annual leave, and the positive impacts making the most of it can have on your employees’ wellbeing and the amount of time they are able to devote to their personal lives and relationships.

Often, employees are reluctant to use all of their annual leave, as they feel that it may be detrimental to their careers or reflect badly on them, even though taking regular breaks allows people to bring their happiest and most productive selves to work! In fact, a survey by nutshell found that 61% of employees didn’t use their annual leave allowance in 2023.

Thankfully, there ways to encourage employees to use their annual leave and make the most of the benefits it can have. If you are looking for support with this, read through this article published by Employment Hero where you'll find some helpful tips!

7. Help employees become more efficient with their work

It might seem obvious, but employees who are able to work efficiently have more time for their personal lives. We all work at different speeds and in our own ways – that’s totally fine! However, those of us who tend to work more slowly may struggle to meet deadlines, and not have the time they need for their personal lives. In some cases, they may even feel embarrassed to ask for support. Here are just a few ways you can help employees work more efficiently without them having to come to you initially!

1. Set realistic goals and expectations
2. Provide a training and development allowance – sometimes employees won’t feel equipped or experienced enough to complete the tasks set for them. Training and Development budgets can help employees gain the skills they need to work more efficiently.
3. Encourage greater collaboration – when we work together, we each bring our unique set of skills to the table. Doing this can help you divide tasks according to an individual’s strengths, and complete the project more quickly.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out this article by BambooHR.

Get in touch!

If you need more guidance, advice or practical steps to help find your perfect work-life balance, please don't hesitate to get in touch!

We are here for you every step of the way and more.