Benefits of work-life balance policies
The various roles we occupy as parents, partners and employees or employers bring with them different obligations which need to be reconciled. Balancing work, family and lifestyle commitments is often difficult and sometimes the different demands can be overwhelming and incompatible.
The result in the workplace can be that employees:
- are less productive
- are absent more often, or for longer
- disguise the real reasons for their absence
- have lower levels of morale
- are more stressed
- are more likely to leave a workplace unsupportive of work-life balance issues
Helping individuals and families achieve a balance between their work, family and lifestyle commitments by introducing work-life balance policies (i.e. policies that help people meet the needs of their work life and personal life) can provide benefits for both employees and employers.
Recognised benefits of work-life balance policies for employees include:
- improved work-life balance – a reduction in the impact of work on home and family life
- reduced stress levels
- control over time management in meeting work-life commitments
- autonomy to make decisions regarding work-life balance
- increased focus, motivation and job satisfaction knowing that family and work commitments are being met
- increased job security from the knowledge that an organisation understands and supports workers with family responsibilities
The benefits of work-life balance policies are not restricted to the employees using the policies, but also to the employer providing them.
Recognised benefits for introducing work-life balance policies for employers include:
- reduced staff turnover rates
- lower recruitment and training costs, associated with reduced turnover
- becoming a good employer or an employer of choice
- increased return on investment in training as employees stay longer
- reduced absenteeism
- reduced use of sick leave
- reductions in worker’s stress levels
- improved morale or satisfaction
- greater staff loyalty and commitment
- improved productivity
Last updated 22 July 2008