As we enter the Year of the Rabbit and the economy continues to pick up, staff are likely to be faced with increasing workloads again. In an environment where employees have already had to help firms do more with less for some time now, many are now in need of a healthier work-life balance. Promoting alternative work arrangements to help staff achieve a better balance can lead to many positive results for your firm—not just keeping productivity high. It can also enhance the overall health and well-being of your staff—reducing both absenteeism and ‘presenteeism’ or coming to work when ill.
Emphasising work-life balance and making it part of your firm’s culture also can improve retention. According to the results of the recent Robert Half Workplace Survey, ‘Having work-life balance’ was ranked the third most important work environment factor cited by all demographic groups surveyed. Andrew Morris, Managing Director, Greater China, Robert Half International offers guidance to HR managers on how to help employees strike the right balance between their professional obligations and personal life.
#1: Allow for flexible work schedules
Your firm’s regular business hours may not work well for all staff. For instance, an employee who must pick up her young children from school daily could be allowed to start and end the workday a bit earlier. Others might benefit more from a compressed work week: instead of five eight-hour days, designated employees might be able to work four ten-hour days, resulting in one less day in the office per week.
#2: Provide opportunities for telecommuting
Offer personnel whose jobs can be done remotely the option of working at home at least a few times a month—especially those with longer commutes. E-mail and other communication tools will ensure they never miss a beat.
#3: Avoid the temptation to contact staff after hours
While technology can indeed keep us connected 24/7, resist the temptation to phone or email your employees outside of work hours unless it’s truly urgent. Respect that your staff need time every day to ‘unplug’.
#4: Give time off for a job well done
After the successful completion of a long or difficult project, allow employees to have a day off—or at least, a partial day—to relax.
#5: Consider bringing in reinforcements when necessary
If you know when workloads are likely to peak in the year ahead, make plans now to ease the burden on your staff by scheduling interim personnel.
Most importantly, set the standard for your firm. Show employees that you value your personal time too, and you know when to step away from the laptop or put down the smartphone.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
