by: Wendy Floyd | Senior Recruiter
In today's turbo-paced work environment the quest for work-life balance proves to be quite a task for many employees. The demand for work-life balance options may have started with mothers in the workforce but now the push for balance is coming from all employees. Given this, it should not come as a surprise that employee demands for work-life balance options are climbing to the top of the 'what employees want' chart. Employees, with and without families want to be able to meet the demands of their careers and to be able to meet the needs of their families. It's important to them to have time to participate in professional organizations and clubs, have time for hobbies, have time to volunteer in their communities and to be able to make adjustments as necessary to deal with the changing economy, i.e. higher gas prices among other things.
So how important is work-life balance? Extremely important considering the fact that talented, highly qualified candidates are passing up job offers because they don't include enough work-life balance options. Keeping up with the changes in workforce demographics is becoming a necessity. Regardless of whether employers view work-life balance options as a case of social responsibility or competitive advantage, their awakening to the fact that work-life balance options not only benefit the employee but they also benefit the company. Although there is no perfect, one-size fits all balance employers will need to find creative ways make the work place more flexible and supportive.
Take a look at some of the benefits of work-life balance:
Employees:
Emotional wellbeing
Achievement and enjoyment
Boost family and career
Gym subsidies
Job redesign (job-sharing, telecommuting, flex-time)
Child care
Leave
Community involvement
Employers:
Productive, engaged employees
Dedication and commitment to the organization
Higher retention of employees
Elimination of stressful work environment
Improved corporate image, identified as an 'employer of choice'
Competitive edge
Meet social responsibility
Reduced absenteeism and sick leave usage
Employee satisfaction
More employers are taking action to increase employee satisfaction. They are looking for ways to design and create a company culture that is more supportive. Work-life balance options show employees that you, the employer respect their personal time and make them feel good about their relationship with you and the company. Employees and employers alike can benefit and appreciate what a healthy work-life balance has to offer the workplace.
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