Achieve a Work-Life Balance These 5 Ways

A 2017 survey by Robert Half Management Resources notes that 52 percent of workers said their work-life balance improved over the past three years. The main reason for this improvement is due to managers and supervisors who addressed the needs and concerns of workers. Discover five ways you can give your team options for achieving this goal.

Statistics From the Survey

As many as 91 percent of the respondents said their managers supported their goals of attaining a better work-life balance, while 74 percent believed their supervisors set a good example. Younger workers ages 18 to 34 were twice as likely to cite an improved work-life situation compared to workers 55 and older. Nearly two-thirds of these younger people, or 62 percent, said their managers supported these efforts versus 50 percent of the oldest workers. A total of 1,000 workers responded to the survey.

The survey leaned more towards millennials attaining a better work-life balance, but managers should help all workers achieve this goal. Doing so improves morale, boosts productivity, and helps employees serve clients and customers better.

Five Ways to Assist Your Team

1. Lead by Example

You team mimics your work ethic and behavior when it comes to discovering how to have a work-life balance. Maintain regular working hours and respond to work-related emails only when everyone else is at the office. Try not to work extraordinarily late or put in hours on the weekends, unless it's absolutely necessary.

2. Respond to Employees' Needs

Stay responsive to the needs of your employees. Talk to your team to ascertain their goals. One employee may want to work remotely one or two days per week, and another might come in 30 minutes early and stay 30 minutes late. Another employee might put in four 10-hour days while having a three-day weekend. Everyone's ideal work-life balance is different, so try to accommodate people as much as possible.

3. Hire Temporary Help

Professional accounting consultants can step in immediately to help alleviate any burdens on your staff. The beauty of consultants is that they aren't full-time employees and work on a contract basis rather than as an hourly or even salaried employee. When the consultant finishes the project, they are done. Specialized consultants can lend their expertise to specific situations, so they can zero in on your needs at the time.

4. Communicate Everyone's Options

Let everyone know their options when it comes to balancing their professional and personal lives. Remote work, flexible schedules, unlimited family leave and limitless vacation times are all ways your firm can offer this benefit.

5. Follow Trends

What's popular today may not be next year. Note the trends of other top firms, and change your policies sooner rather than later to stay ahead of the game. This way, you offer relevant benefits to your staff.

Achieving a better work-life balance makes business sense in terms of less turnover and fewer employment costs. Upper management can help employees find this ideal by setting a great example and remaining flexible.

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