This month we celebrate National Work and Family Month. During the month, businesses across the U.S. are asked to promote healthier and more flexible work environments for their employees. Why is this important? Well, true work-life balance facilitates an improved quality of life, reduced stress, and improved health and well-being. However, beyond these personal benefits, it also directly benefits the organization. According to a recent study by Gartner, companies that support work-life balance report a 21% increase in employee productivity and a 33% decrease in turnover rates (Gartner, n.d.)

There is a common misconception that work-life balance can only be facilitated by organizational policies. As a leader, in fact, you can pursue small but powerful behaviors that can help your team maintain balance by setting clear expectations, supporting flexibility, and fostering a culture that values personal time.

Here are practical ways you can facilitate work-life balance for your employees:

1. Set Boundaries Around Work Hours

Encourage employees to stick to defined working hours. Avoid contacting them outside of these times unless absolutely necessary.

• Lead by example. Log off at a reasonable time and avoid sending emails after hours.
• Set clear communication norms about when it’s appropriate to contact colleagues.

2. Promote Flexible Work Schedules

Give your employees the flexibility to manage their personal responsibilities. This can be done through:

• Flexible start and end times.
• Remote work options for those who need it.

3. Encourage Taking Breaks and Time Off

Make it clear that breaks and vacations are necessary, not optional. Employees need time to recharge to remain effective.

• Remind employees to take their lunch breaks.
• Support the use of paid time off without guilt or pressure to “catch up” afterward.

4. Reduce Unnecessary Meetings

Meetings often interrupt focused work. Reduce the number of meetings or shorten them where possible.

• Only schedule meetings when necessary, and ensure they have a clear agenda.
• Consider no-meeting days to allow for uninterrupted work time.

5. Offer Mental Health Support

Promote mental health resources, such as counseling or wellness programs. Create an environment where employees feel comfortable seeking help.

• Regularly check in with employees about their workload and stress levels.
• Provide access to confidential mental health resources.

6. Recognize and Address Overwork

Pay attention to signs of burnout, such as decreased productivity, absenteeism, or irritability.

• Reassign tasks if someone is overloaded.
• Encourage a healthy work pace rather than long hours.

7. Foster Open Communication

Create an atmosphere where employees feel comfortable discussing their work-life balance needs.

• Hold one-on-one meetings to check in on personal and professional well-being.
• Be approachable and willing to adjust workloads if necessary.

By actively supporting your employees’ work-life balance, you contribute to a healthier, more productive team. It’s a direct way to improve both performance and retention.

Reference

Gartner Business Insights, Strategies & Trends for Executives. Gartner. (n.d.). https://www.gartner.com/en/insights