A balance between work and nonwork life is essential for job engagement. A flexible working schedule allows for more time with children. Job flexibility involves career breaks (e.g., maternity or paternity leaves). Moreover, part-time employees need flexibility in scheduling, length of work, and location.
Studies show that more women request flexible work than men. Although men consider flexible working to develop their organizational commitment, women consider it a way to improve and achieve work-life balance. Currently, it seems to be a better fit for women than men. However, as gender norms change, more men will probably use it.
Correlation between work-life balance and performance
There is a correlation between work-life balance and work performance, no matter type of relationship, size of family, or number of children. Findings of studies show that there is a direct positive correlation between flexible working and improved mental health, stress reduction, greater work performance, and increased general life satisfaction. Work-life balance helps to alleviate some stress, as it offers more control over time. Research suggests that those who have work-life difficulties have higher stress than those who are not given the opportunity to balance life and work obligations.
Reflection
If work-life balance gives you more control over your time, what would you do with your time?
Organizational Policies
Organizational policies need to be in place to manage work-life balance and prevent job burnout. Burnout is a work-related syndrome characterized by a having no energy, being mentally distant from those at work, being cynical, less professional efficacy, and brings about negative outcomes for those you support. Burnout is caused by not feeling supported, excessive workload, long hours, work pressure, and workplace culture. Burnout is related to poor work-life balance when hours are increased, being midcareer, and decreased time to being awake at home. On an organizational level, policies and practices need to focus on establishing criteria for hiring and placement. Leadership and supervisor training can focus on strategies for effective communication and job discussion among all levels of the workforce on health education and career counseling.
Reflection
Do you think that you are experiencing burnout?
What supervisors can do
Organizations can incorporate strategies to reduce psychological morbidity and enhance resilience by implementing wellness strategies.
- Supervisors can consider upgrading work-life balance initiatives and offer organizational support and development to all staff. Supportive policies can be developed and written into employee handbooks. Topics can focus on self-care and wellbeing (e.g., hobbies, healthy diet, vacation time, fair compensation). Topics will enhance employee friendly high performance work practices.
- Supervisors can demonstrate ways to show their employees that they are valued.
- Supervisors need effective communication skills to create a better working environment and ensure high levels of work engagement, lower levels of work-related stress, and improve wellbeing.
Barbara is a leading authority and best-selling author on managing burnout, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. As a nationally recognized keynote speaker, she motivates audiences to build their resilience and create work-life balance. Her programs help leaders and teams manage workplace chronic stressors and get over burnout at work.
Barbara's newest book, "But I Didn't Say Goodbye: Helping Families After a Suicide", is available now on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2FwS6JI
• Three weeks prior to giving birth to triplets, her father died by suicide. Her story was featured in the Emmy award winning documentary, Fatal Mistakes, Families Shattered by Suicide narrated by Mariette Hartley. Many employees are grieving personal loss. She offers programs for leaders on lost productivity and performance while managing grief at work.
• As a sought-after keynote speaker who has presented to over 500 groups since 1991, including corporations, state and national associations and non-profit organizations, Barbara offers work-life balance strategies for leaders to implement right away. With clarity and humor, her speaking engagements are designed to give audiences powerful and practical strategies of work-life balance, wellbeing, and self-care that can be implemented immediately.
• Barbara is a Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and Diplomate with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. She received a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Master of Arts degree in community health, with a concentration in thanatology, both from Brooklyn College.
Email: BarbaraRubel@BarbaraRubel.com
Website: www.barbararubel.com
