Work-Life Balance and Employee Performance
Achieving work-life balance in 2019 is an issue that must be addressed by both employers and employees. There’s a new trend that suggests organisations and employees will start thinking in a different way when it comes to work and family. Work-life balance is becoming increasingly important because today’s workforce compromises of four generations — Baby boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z. The time period of a person’s birth may affect his views on work-life balance. Some research suggests that the employer is most responsible for the work-life balance of employees because they create workplace policies, culture, and management practices that eventually affect work-life balance.
Individuals want to live meaningful lives both at home and work without sacrificing either. Work-life balance is the equilibrium between the amount of time and effort an employee devotes to work and personal activities in order to maintain an overall sense of harmony. It is the ability of individuals regardless of age or gender to find a rhythm that will allow them to combine work with non-work responsibilities, activities and aspirations. It pertains to all individuals who are in paid work regardless of whether they have family responsibilities or not.
Around the world, more and more employees are looking for flexible work arrangements and interestingly, organisations are starting to meet these needs and offer a variety of family-friendly policies. Below are cities ranked for best work-life balance (2019) based on employment factors such as average commute times, working hours, leave, employee welfare etc.
Work-life imbalance has serious consequences for employees, organisations and the society. An imbalance affects the quality of life and career accomplishments of employees. Poor work-life balance can lead to:
- Lack of Family Time: The two most important parts of an adult’s life are work and family. Being engrossed in work may lead to missing special family occasions and events. Nigeria is a family-oriented society and the importance of family cannot be overemphasized. Lack of imbalance has led to decreased life satisfaction, family strife, violence, divorces, challenges with parenting and control of children, and increasing rates of juvenile delinquencies.
- Health Issues: work overload, working long hours etc. can cause stress-induced illness which can severely affect the immune system. Stress also makes people vulnerable to substance abuse.
- Fatigue: Tiredness decreases an employee’s ability to work efficiently. This can affect the quality of service offered to customers.
Organisations can encourage the work-life balance of employees by offering some of the following:
· Flexible resumption and closing work hours
· The option of remote work especially for employees that have children, older relatives under their care
· Social activities in and out of the office which help people connect
· Encouraging employees to take their annual leave
· Wellness initiatives that help keep employees in shape, reduce the cost of healthcare, and decrease absenteeism.
Employers reap the benefits that come from having happy and productive employees. The workforce of the future demand flexibility. When employees know they are in control of their own lives, they work better with management and they can attend to work and family issues distinctively without interference. Organisations that encourage work-life balance are attractive to skilled, experienced, qualified candidates and draw a valuable pool when recruiting. These organisations enjoy higher employee retention rates, commitment, satisfaction and loyalty.
Work-Life Balance: What Does It Really Mean In 2019? K. Horne| Consequences of Poor Work-Life Balance, C. Welsh| This is How the Future of Work-Life Balance Will Look Like, S. Gourani| Better Work-Life Balance Starts with Managers, M. Russo and G. Morandin| These are the best cities for work-life balance in 2019, J. Wood
