The role of HR managers in promoting work-life balance

Today it has become common that employees work more hours than the average time duration and more often weekends to cover the workload allocated to them. Due to this circumstance work related stress among the workers is an inevitable issue.With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic working from home introduced as a new trend and work-life balance has become more challenging. So, it is important to establish a healthy work-life balance and it will be benefited for both employees and the organization.In this regards, the HR team can contributes more to enhance a healthy work-life balance among their staff members.

What is work-life balance?

Balance between the amount of time and energy we contribute for work and our personal lives can be regarded generally as the work-life balance. (Campbell, 2022) So, work-life balance is a situation where both our personal life and work life are rewarded and our level of stress is controlled. Sometimes this work life balance differs from person to person. Work –life balance refers to the state of equilibrium when a person equally prioritizes the demands of personal life and demands of career life. (Sanfilippo, 2021)

Why work-life balance is important to organization/employers

1. Reduce employee turnover and attracts talented employees.

Employees who can balance their personal life and work are undoubtedly more satisfied. This is reflected in their work and performance. Companies such as Southwest airlines, Johnson and Johnson, and LinkedIn, which are considered as having healthy working environment experience less turnover rates. (Campbell, 2022) Employees are attracted to the places where they can uplift their career and performance along with personal life.

2. Reduce absenteeism due to work stress.

Although the employees don’t leave the job, due to severe stress they tend to take leaves frequently. This is disadvantageous on the performance, efficiency, employ engagement and overall business.

3. Increase employee engagement.

When the management pay importance to the personal life and health of employees they feel happier, and it is a significant factor in employee engagement. When they struggle to find harmony between work and personal life it negatively effects the work engagement.

4. Increase creativity and performance of employees.

Performance and creativity of the employees are inherently connected with the work-life balance. According to Eys (2021),  employees who are considered to have good work-life balance work 21% harder than those who are with weak work-life balance.

     


How can HR team contributes for the work-life balance of employees?

1. Offering flexible working schedule

Flexible working hours and working plans contributes for the balance between personal life and work.

2. Training managers to focus more on productivity rather than working hours.

More than counting working hours, it is important to consider the efficient completion of work since the time used on various works differs from one another.

3. Encouraging intervals or work breaks

This is helpful not only in maintaining work-life balance but also in increasing productivity. By encouraging employees to get a short walk or to get more ventilation makes them relieve their stress. This environment can be established in the work premises.

4. Extending required  support for employees with children

It is clear that most companies lose talented workers when they feel they can’t take care of their children or cater their needs due to the job. It is important to increase support for the parents at the work place. Maternity and paternity leaves, flexible working hours, child healthcare facilities contributes for the retention of employees.

5.  Providing facilities to enhance physical and mental health

Facilitating gym memberships, providing life insurance covers,  providing facilities to engage in sports, encouraging counselling services to the employees and their family members are some examples.

6. Considering the views of employees

When it is necessary to cater the needs of the employees, their experience and interests should be considered.

7. Encourage managers to identify the different capacities of employees.

Each and every one has their own styles of managing works. Some may like working extended hours, others may not. It is important to offer assistance when needed and encouraging them to achieve the goal in their own style is helpful in establishing healthy work-life balance.  

Conclusion

In brief the work-life balance is the separation of one’s career life from his personal life in a way that neither influences on the other. This affects the employees as well as employers. In order to have the employees of a company work for a long time with satisfaction, achieving the company’s goals significance of work-life balance cannot be undermined.


References

Campbell, R., 2022. Why Work-Life Balance Is Important (And How HR Teams Can Improve It). [Blog] Lattice, Available at: <https://lattice.com/library/why-work-life-balance-is-important-and-how-hr-teams-can-improve-it> [Accessed 29 April 2022].

Eys, P., 2021. 5 Ways HR Can Improve Work-Life Balance and Employee Engagement. [Blog] Pathways, Available at: <https://www.pathways.com/pathways-at-work/blog/improve-work-life-balance-and-employee-engagement> [Accessed 29 April 2022]

Sanfilippo, M., 2021. How to Improve Your Work-Life Balance Today. [Blog] Business News Daily, Available at: <https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5244-improve-work-life-balance-today.html> [Accessed 29 April 2022]

Comments

  1. Venushka BandaranayakeApril 30, 2022 at 1:28 AM

    Balancing of work and personal life is very important in order to maintain the productivity of employees in an organization. As you explained it will control the stress level as well as improve employees satisfaction. Good Luck Amila..

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dilini MBAApril 30, 2022 at 6:51 PM

    As explained, having a healthy work-life balance is very important for employee performance. It means that employees will be happier when they come to work. This, in turn, helps reduce stress and absenteeism. All the Best Amila!

    ReplyDelete
  3. KithsiriApril 30, 2022 at 9:26 PM

    The role of HR managers in promoting work-life balance in valuble explain

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lakshitha MBA 2022 FEBMay 1, 2022 at 3:03 AM

    When I came across your blog, I actually agreed with your point of view, giving ideas such as facilitating gym memberships, offering life insurance coverage, providing facilities for sports participation, and encouraging employees and their family members to seek counseling.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Achala BandaraMay 6, 2022 at 9:13 AM

    Maintaining the productivity of employees in a business requires a careful balance of work and personal life. As you stated, it will reduce stress while also increasing employee satisfaction. Best wishes

    ReplyDelete
  6. ChathuraDMay 6, 2022 at 11:19 AM

    Encourage staff to take regular health breaks between shifts so they are not working continuously. . Make staff realize that it is OK to take a break and focus on developing good habits such as going for a walk or doing some housework.The importance of work-life balance in attaining a company's goals and having workers work for a long period with happiness cannot be overstated.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nishantha RathnayakeMay 6, 2022 at 8:01 PM

    As discussed, Employee performance is highly dependent on having a healthy work-life balance. When employees arrive at work, they will be happier. As a result, stress and absenteeism can be reduced. The role of HR managers ensures to promote work-life balance in the organization.good article

    ReplyDelete
  8. Suranga Senarathne - MBA May 7, 2022 at 3:50 AM

    Employee performance depends on establishing a healthy work-life balance, as previously stated.
    When employees arrive at work, they will be happier.
    As a result, stress and absenteeism can be reduced.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Suresh HerathMay 7, 2022 at 6:38 AM

    Employee effectiveness depends on having a healthy work-life balance. It means that when employees get at work, they will be happier. As a result, stress and absenteeism are reduced.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Amila KarunarathnaMay 7, 2022 at 8:25 AM

    As you mentioned, Work-life balance reflects the extent to which an individual is equally engaged in – and Equally satisfied with – his or her work role and family role. Good Blog

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anuradha Wickramasiri.May 7, 2022 at 11:27 AM

    As you have clearly described, Work-life balance has a direct impact to the output of employee as well as his or her physical and metal health. In order to have the employees of a company work for a long time with satisfaction, achieving the company’s goals significance of work-life balance cannot be undermined.
    Good job Amila



    ReplyDelete
  12. Asela ThennakoonMay 7, 2022 at 12:05 PM

    Work life balance is very important for the all of us due high work load in present context and competitive environment. Managing work life and the personal life is a challenging but can be relaxed through so many ways by involving HR team of the organization as described in this article. Good effort Amila.

    ReplyDelete

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