Achieving a balance between work and personal life is good for the individual and also good for your business. Employees tend to be healthier and more productive and are less likely to be stressed and take time off.
Companies that offer flexible work conditions also have a better chance of retaining staff and attracting new people.
Work life balance initiatives include:
- job sharing and part-time employment
- flexible working conditions, such as varied hours and time off for study
- working from home
- self-funded leave and parental leave
- childcare support.
Health and wellbeing
Employers increasingly offer health and wellbeing programs to boost staff morale and improve job satisfaction. Initiatives range from in-house yoga and on-site massages to subsidised tai chi classes or gym memberships.
A good idea is to encourage staff to form a workplace committee to develop health and wellbeing activities. The costs to the business are usually minimal and are far outweighed by the benefits.
Employee assistance programs
Introducing employee assistance programs can help staff resolve work and personal problems likely to affect their wellbeing and performance. Programs include confidential counselling to help staff manage problems such as:
- company redundancies
- restructures or mergers
- work stress
- poor health
- relationship breakdowns
- financial hardship
- interpersonal conflict.
More information
Other websites
Work Life Balance - SafeWork SA