Work-life practice guidelines

For companies

There are a variety of tried and tested components to the work-life strategy. Foremost is providing flexible working hours for the employees by the employers. Options should be given to the employees such as having a compressed work week or job sharing. A compressed work week involves working full-time hours in four days in order to provide a longer weekend and more time for leisure activities. Job sharing involves two people splitting one job so adequate support is given to each employee and the responsibilities are balanced. Working at home can also provide a more comfortable and convenient work environment.

Another element of the work life balance strategy is to have the company review the work-life balance of their employees on a regular balance. Employers can provide individual development plans for employees or mentoring by colleagues in order to monitor progress and satisfaction in the workforce. Guidelines to handle problems should also be established so business and personal needs can be met.

Adequate leave options should also be provided to the employees. In addition to holiday leave, parental leave and time off for dependants and maternity leave, leave should be provided for new fathers or additional schooling. Employees can also be assisted by their employer if they provide information on local care providers, local day care centers or loans to help pay for eldercare. These assistances would help ease the stress of home life.

For employees

Individuals seeking to improve their own work-life balance may:

    * Choose to work less hours, spending more time with their family.

    * Take on a different job role or title, typically with less pressure/responsibility and often for less monetary reward.

    * Decide to give up working entirely, possibly becoming a Stay at Home Mum / Dad.

    * Work less, but at the same time take lifestyle choices that mean they actually require less money for their lifestyle. Possibly adopting a less consumerist approach. An example of this is someone who works very hard to be able to afford expensive holidays deemed necessary by them to escape the pressures of their job, but were the holiday not so expensive they could possibly work less.

The above steps and more are sometimes referred to as "Escaping the Rat Race"

Business benefits

Satisfied employees contribute to greater business benefits for the employer. Foremost, businesses would experience an increase in productivity. Happy employees perform better than disgruntled and stressed ones. Businesses would also see improved recruitment and retention. Additionally, there would be lower rates of absenteeism and improved customer service. Overall, there would exist a more motivated, satisfied and equitable workforce.

Work statistics

Studies have shown that the greatest complaint among employees is the extensive number of hours they have to work. According to 2002 data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD), workers in the United States tend to work longer average annual hours than most advanced industrial economies. A survey by the Families and Work Institute indicates that most American workers would like to see a reduction in their working hours.

Long working hours have resulted in a diminished interest in job responsibility and a growing work-life conflict. As a result, there has been a rising demand for more flexible work arrangements.[9] In a 2002 poll, human resource professionals ranked flexible schedules as the top way to motivate employees. When flexible schedules are not valued by the employer, employees are more likely to feel overworked.

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