By Dan Simmons
Let’s take a look at the subject of work & life balance. What would it be like if we could actually have both of those areas strategically successful. In today’s workplace, employers are becoming more imaginative in helping employees bridge the gap between life and work. Research shows that helping employees achieve a balance pays big dividends, including cutting health costs and energizing performance.
It’s September and we just observed the Labor Day holiday last week. Did you know Labor Day was started over 100 years ago as a protest for workers demanding eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours for the family? Work and life balance is a basic need.
With autumn on the horizon I’d like to continue to recognize the working population by asking this question, “What would it be like if work and life were in balance for your employees?”
A recent survey of employees showed even though job satisfaction was high, the majority of workers rated the balance of work and family life as more important than any other employment factor. Below are some ways helping strike that balance can be beneficial:
- Attracts new employees/retain current staff
- Builds diversity in skills and personnel
- Reduces sickness and absenteeism
- Enhances working relationships (improved moral, more initiative and teamwork)
- Increases levels of production and satisfaction
- Decreases stress and burn-out
Where We Are:
For the first time in American history, four generations—Veterans, Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and Yers are working side-by side. I’d like to address work & life balance initiatives for all and provide a few ideas that promote the notion that maybe one size can fit all! These initiatives help foster a better balance between the demands of the job and the enjoyment of life outside of work.
Our Needs:
In today’s workforce 87% of the population’s biggest challenge and cause for stress results from household responsibilities! Think: If your household responsibilities were taken care of, or reduced, you would have more time for your life.
Simple solutions:
We all have basic responsibilities of life and as the employer you can be a hero to your employees by providing practical solutions. Most will cost you absolutely nothing except time.
I suggest negotiating discounts for your employees for the services below:
- Delivery of groceries (employee online ordering). People will spend four to five hours shopping for groceries each week, and that doesn’t include stopping on the way home for that last-minute dinner or take out! Offer delivery at least two times per week.
- Housecleaning services. Smaller operations do a tremendous job at much better rates.
- Laundry service, pick-up, and delivery.
- Lawn service. Choose smaller operations that benefit from the additional business.
- House painting or repairs.
- Auto repair or detailing. Find a business that will come to your location weekly.
- Pharmacy deliveries
- Daycare, childcare, elder care services
- Health club facilities
The availability of these services will add hours to your employees’ lives, which they can spend however they choose. And when it comes to job satisfaction and how those same employees feel about the company for which they work, you can bet they’ll choose to be more loyal and to resist the temptation to go elsewhere.
Now truly, take a moment and ask yourself this question: “What would it be like if my work and life were in balance?” Small Changes = Big Returns.
Daniel C. Simmons is a Certified Personnel Consultant who has been recruiting since 1991. Dan has won over twenty awards in the last decade with the Top Echelon Network, America’s leading placement network including Placer of the Year in 2009 & 2010.
Frequently Dan also is a recruiter trainer and has been featured at various Top Echelon Conventions and online as a speaker for various webinars. He has also been published in The Fordyce Letter the recruiting industry’s #1 magazine.
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