Work - Life Balance

Work Life Balance - explained

'We all should have a choice of how to balance our work and life'

What Is Work Life Balance?

Work-Life Balance does not have to mean a reduction in productivity or all of your employees working different hours. It can be as much about improved communication, clearer job roles & job descriptions and better training & development, as changes in actual working patterns.

It is also about striking a balance between the employee needs, business needs and customer needs. More and more employers (and this could mean your competitors) are recognising that by accepting the employees need for life outside of work whether for sport, recreation, relaxation or to spend more time with the family 0 they will realise benefits all round for the employees, the company and customers.

Why - Work Life Balance?

An increasing number of employers in the Solihull area are adjusting work patterns to cater for employees whose responsibilities outside the workplace require flexibility in working hours. Business are realising that the benefits of offering Work-Life Balance options to employees go beyond attracting a wider range of applicants. Research has shown that savings and profits for businesses increase and the quality of people's work improves for those who have Work-Life Balance.

So why are they doing this? Because they know they need to recruit and retain committed, productive workers. If they don't the costs of NOT offering Work-Life Balance options can include:

• Increased absenteeism
• Greater staff turnover
• Non-return after maternity leave due to childcare issues
• A poor reputation in the community and therefore reluctance of candidates to apply for work

Benefits - of Work Life Balance

Work-Life Balance practices benefits both the employer and employees.

• Increased productivity and profitability
• Improved Recruitment levels
• Retention of staff 0 therefore reduced costs to recruit and re-train replacements
• Reduced absenteeism
• Improved morale
• Improved company image as become an employer of choice
• Improved customer service 0 as employees are happier at work and customers are working with the same employees
• Greater responsibility and a sense of ownership for employees
• Better relations between employer and employee
• Improved loyalty and commitment 0 feeling a more valued employee
• Employees not bringing problems at home to work and vice versa
• Increase control for employee over their working lives