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How to create a culture with the right work-life balance? ⚖️
It’s Monday morning, and you dive into the week with enthusiasm. But before you’ve even had your first cup of coffee, an employee is at your desk. “Can you help me out? I just can’t figure out how to balance this with my home life.” It’s completely normal for employees to struggle with their balance. In a time when hybrid working has become the norm and the boundaries between work and personal life are increasingly blurred, your challenge as an HR manager is not only to support employees but also to create a culture that encourages balance. How do you achieve this? In this blog, we’ll explore practical steps to help you establish a healthy work-life balance in your organisation.
Time to read: 5 minutes
What Do Your Employees Really Need? 👂
In an organisation with dozens or even hundreds of employees, there’s no universal definition of balance. What works perfectly for one person may be impractical for another. That’s why it all starts with listening. But how do you identify what employees truly need without a crystal ball?
A good starting point is having open conversations. For instance, schedule monthly one-on-one meetings where you ask employees how they’re experiencing their workload and whether there’s anything that helps them maintain balance. Additionally, anonymous surveys can provide broader insights without making people feel uncomfortable. An HR manager at a mid-sized company discovered through such a survey that many employees simply wanted more structure in their workday, while others preferred more freedom.
Another useful tool? Informal check-ins. Sometimes, the most valuable feedback doesn’t come in a meeting room but during a spontaneous coffee break. Listening to your team’s needs is not only helpful but also shows that you’re genuinely invested in their well-being.
Flexible Working Hours Bring Calm ⏰🏡
Imagine this: an employee with young children is struggling to stick to a nine-to-five schedule. Or a colleague who performs best early in the morning. Why try to fit everyone into the same mould?
Flexible working hours and hybrid work models are the solution. By allowing employees to partially work from home or adjust their hours, you create an environment where they feel supported. This doesn’t mean anything goes, but offering room for customisation within reasonable limits can work wonders.
For example, an HR manager at a tech company introduced a policy allowing teams to decide when and where they worked, as long as key tasks were completed. The result? Reduced stress, improved collaboration, and an overall increase in employee satisfaction.
A fun addition: organise monthly ‘balance days’ where employees can spend a few hours recharging, whether through exercise or quality time with their family. These small adjustments can have a big impact.
Lead by Example 🌟
How often do you, as an HR manager, work past regular hours? Or send emails late at night that could easily wait until the next morning? Unintentionally, this sends a message to your team.
A healthy work-life balance starts with you. Show that it’s okay to disconnect after work hours. For example, plan your own holiday without checking emails in between. Your employees will see that it’s possible to truly step away from work.
At an organisation where an HR manager made a conscious decision to avoid scheduling meetings after 4:00 PM, employees reported feeling less work-related stress. Moreover, it strengthened trust in leadership, as employees felt their well-being was genuinely prioritised.
Set the example and discuss it regularly with leaders across the organisation. When everyone follows the same approach, balance becomes more than just an aspiration—it becomes a daily reality.
