HR Teams Must Ensure Work-Life Balance

Many companies are implementing the Work-Life Balance (WLB) principle, which identifies human capital management concerns and incorporates strategies and policies developed to achieve and maintain long-term productivity. This scenario is desirable for companies, because their productivity is directly related to the personal lives of their employees.

WLB also seeks to control workloads so that they do not harm the personal and familial well-being of staff. Companies need to upgrade their practices to provide employees with the flexibility they need to perform while taking care of their families and personal lives.

Offering alternatives to reconcile the professional and personal life of workers is a commitment to work responsibly from an emotional and human development point of view. Carrying out this commitment will keep employees happy because they will feel valued and respected. Failing to do so could lead to stress, job dissatisfaction, lower performance and a higher turnover in teams.

Among key WLB options are flexible hours and working days, home office, maternity leave and promoting healthy living, among others. Each company can design its own strategy to improve the balance. Other possible measures include a nursery service or access to private medical insurance. HR experts agree that employees acknowledge the efforts their companies make in this regard.

The increase WLB, it is essential to reinforce stability in the workforce and attract talent. Therefore, the HR department acquires a leading role in the development of the organization as the main protector of tranquility, stability and happiness for each individual in the work environment. Finding a balance should be a priority for both the employee and the company, there should be open communication to allow employees to speak up if they are under too much pressure. To mitigate this pressure, employees and management should be able to review their workload to ensure it is achievable and aligned with the company’s expectations.

Scott Galloway, Professor, New York University Stern School of Business told Worklife that an adequate balance is essential to someone’s happiness and wellbeing, but that it takes quite a lot of work to achieve it. “The reality of investing is that it is slow and boring,” he said, adding that a “Healthy work-life balance is a tremendous benefit later in life – and it is worth investing in that optionality as early as you can.”