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Work/Life Balance

What does work/life balance mean to you and your employer?


Can you imagine anyone saying work/life balance isn’t important to them? (Maybe those would be classic “workaholics?”) And now into the post-pandemic age, work/life balance looks completely different, not only for people working from home, but also for anyone who’s looking for person-to-person social interaction during off-hours.


Purposefully managing your work/life balance is important because without it, your health suffers, your work suffers, your relationships suffer, and you risk burnout.

Here are a few things you should be doing to control your work/life balance:
  • Put 15-minute breaks, lunchbreaks, and “closing time” hours on your calendar, and adhere to them.
  • Practice self-care, like recognizing when you’ve reached your max work output for the day and don’t try to push further.
  • If working from home, don’t stay cooped up. Leave the house daily to exercise, socialize with friends, or grab a meal. Take a meeting while you take a walk.
  • Finish your workday and routine “chores,” but then do things that nourish you as a person, like hanging out with friends and family or diving into a hobby.
why work phenom

Do you feel fulfilled?
When your job doesn't feel overbearing or underwhelming but rather gives you a sense of accomplishment and value, you will naturally find more balance in your life.
Your employer’s role

Also, don’t feel the onus for work/life balance lies strictly on you. For employers, ensuring employees can experience work/life balance is an investment in the company’s future. It’s a major factor in employee morale and motivation.

Here are things leaders should be doing to make sure a lack of balance doesn’t harm team loyalty and productivity:
  • Not overloading employees with unreasonable responsibilities.
  • Encouraging employees to make use of vacation hours and holidays, and to “unplug” during those times.
  • Prioritizing employee health and taking work off their plates while they take time to recoup.
  • Setting a good example by demonstrating their own work/life balance.
  • Organizing opportunities for coworkers to connect socially in non-work gatherings and activities.
Beyond benefits like 401K plans and medical insurance, job perks go a long way to helping employees achieve work/life balance, such as:
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Remote work opportunities
  • Paid time off for vacations and holidays
  • Wellness programs that include fitness and nutrition guidance, mental health support, financial wellness, etc.
There are a lot of factors that contribute to you maintaining enthusiasm for your job, including work/life balance. The parts that fall on you include time management and setting boundaries, good nutrition and exercise, and stress management. Finding the right employer who cares as much about your wellbeing as they do about your work output is key to achieving job satisfaction and personal growth. It’s worth it for both you and your employer to prioritize these values.