According to Thrive Global, work-life balance is at the top of employee’s wish lists when it comes to overall happiness in the workplace. This study shows that people who have flexible schedules are more likely to keep their work schedule consistent and under control, as well as maintain a healthy home lifestyle. Ironically, the same study highlights the fact that even work-life experts struggle to sufficiently balance work and life.
Although there is an abundance of research that uncovers facts which link excessive work to major health issues, Americans still struggle to find a healthy balance between work and their personal life. Employers are the ones who take direct blame for employee’s poor work-life balance and the negative consequences that derive from it, so here are eight major benefits of a healthy work-life balance that will make you rethink your employee’s tight work schedules and heavy workloads:
- Reduces Stress Levels
- Increases Productivity
- Increases commitment and motivation
- Boosts creativity
- Decreases burnout
- Encourages employee growth
- Increases job satisfaction
- Creates a more positive perception of employer
Keep workload and flexibility in mind to lift stress off of your employees—this has endless mental and physical health benefits, and will likely decrease turnover rates. Heavy workloads can be a major contributor in causing high stress levels and burnout, but offering flexible schedules and encouraging employees to use paid time off is the start to having healthy, happy employees. Acknowledging employees workloads and implementing time management methods in the office positively aids to high work-related stress levels. Setting your employees up for a healthy work-life balance is ultimately setting your company up for success in the long run. The most valuable asset of a company is its employees, so investing in their personal lives as well can go a long way.
Encouraging the use of structured planning tools, setting realistic deadlines, and allowing flexibility in how work is completed empowers employees to manage their responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed. It also fosters a sense of control over their time, which is a key factor in both mental health and productivity.
One practical way to support this is by providing resources that make tracking and allocating time easier. An hours calculator, for instance, can help employees determine the amount of time needed for various tasks, plan project timelines, or even monitor how long they spend on different work activities. By integrating such tools into daily routines, both employees and managers can make informed decisions about task prioritization, breaks, and collaboration, ultimately leading to a more balanced and efficient work environment. When employees feel supported in managing their time, it translates into lower stress, higher engagement, and long-term success for the organization.