From Burnout to Balance: 5 Steps to Enhance Employee Wellness and Work-Life Balance

In today's fast-paced world, achieving work-life balance can feel like a constant battle. Juggling work deadlines, personal commitments, and the need for self-care can leave employees feeling burnt out and overwhelmed.

But what if there was a way to create a win-win situation? Here's where employee well-being and work-life balance come into play.

What Is A Healthy Work-life Balance?

The concept of a good work-life balance might leave you wondering what exactly it entails.

A good work-life balance isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. It's a state where work demands feel manageable and don't overshadow personal well-being. It involves minimization of work-related stress, establishing a healthy and sustainable work environment, and maintaining well-being.

To achieve a healthy work-life balance, it is important to set boundaries between work and personal time, prioritize self-care, and manage time effectively.

Employers can contribute to work-life balance programs by offering flexible work arrangements, encouraging regular breaks, counseling services, and promoting a supportive workplace culture that values employees’ holistic well-being.

Why It Matters: The Importance of Balance

Since the beginning of the pandemic and beyond, employee well-being has suffered. Hybrid and remote work meant more work hours, especially for those who worked from home for the first time.

Employees who don't feel well can't focus on their work. To maintain a productive work-life balance, taking care of your people is vital.

According to a Society for Human Resource Management study, 27% of employees report struggling with work-life balance. Employee well-being isn't just a buzzword; it's a critical factor impacting both professional and personal goals.

When employees feel supported and have a healthy work-life balance, they experience the following:

• Increased productivity by up to 20% (Harvard Business Review.)

• Increased employee engagement and morale (Gallup)

• Improved physical and mental health problems

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Higher job satisfaction and morale

• Reduced healthcare costs by up to 18% (American Journal of Health Promotion)

Suggested Read: 7 Best Ways Employers Can Control Their Employee's Healthcare Costs

The Cost of Neglecting Work-Life Balance

On the other hand, neglecting work-life balance can lead to a cascade of negative consequences. When employees are overworked and are unable to find time for their personal care activities or even to take a breather, it can lead to dissatisfaction and have negative consequences like -

• Reduced productivity and presenteeism (being physically present but mentally checked out)

• Increased absenteeism and healthcare costs

• Employee burnout and higher turnover rates

This blog aims to explore how promoting work-life balance leads to a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce.

The Link Between Employee Wellness and Work-Life Balance

There is a solid connection between employee wellbeing and work-life balance. It is a critical factor in employee wellness and organizational performance. It encompasses the equilibrium between professional responsibilities and personal life, with implications for job satisfaction, mental health, and overall well-being.

Some key insights on work-life balance and employee wellness -

1. A good work-life balance is positively associated with both job satisfaction and lower turnover rates according to a study by the Human Resource Management Review.

2. There is a significant reduction in stress and other mental health-related problems.

3. A strong work-life balance is linked to lower levels of anxiety, and depression and is associated with positive psychological well-being and resilience according to a study by the Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management.

4. Again, organizations that support work-life balance benefit from a significant increase in cost saving, reduced turnovers, and productivity.

Work-life balance issues, however, can lead to stress, burnout, and other health problems. Overwork and stress can cause employees to feel anxious, depressed, or exhausted. This can lead to decreased productivity, job satisfaction, and overall wellbeing.

What Are The Benefits of Maintaining A Good Work-Life Balance?

Since the start of the pandemic and beyond, employee well-being has suffered. If your employees are not feeling well, then productivity declines. Studies have shown that companies prioritizing work-life balance initiatives experience significant benefits:

1. Boost Productivity

Contrary to the belief that longer hours equate to higher productivity, studies have shown that employees who maintain a healthy work-life balance are more productive. As human we all need time to take a breather; energy levels can only stay high for so long. When employees have time to pursue their passions, hobbies, and interests outside of work, they return to work with renewed energy, creativity, and focus.

2. Enhanced Employee Wellbeing

Maintaining a good work-life balance promotes overall wellbeing by reducing stress levels and preventing burnout. When employees have time to recharge outside of work, they come back to the office rejuvenated and motivated, leading to improved productivity and performance.

Suggested Read: 16 Employee Wellbeing Initiatives to thrive at work in 2024

3. Attracts and Retains Talent

In today's competitive job market, retaining top talent is crucial for any organization's success. But with demanding schedules and the constant pressure to be "on," employees can easily become burnt out and seek opportunities elsewhere.

When employees feel valued and supported in managing their personal lives, they're more likely to develop a sense of loyalty and commitment to the organization.

Incorporating and encouraging work-life balance as a part of your corporate wellness program when employing top talent, will help retain employees. This will help you keep the talent that you currently have.

Suggested Read: Reimagining The Role of Leadership in Employee Wellness

4. Reduced Absenteeism

Employees' health is bound to decline if they spend most of their time stressed at work or commuting. Employees who are stressed and unhealthy are more likely to miss work, which will increase absenteeism.

Work-life balance isn't just another buzzword, it's an important business decision. Investing in employees not only promotes wellness but also increases productivity. Over the past few years, people have started expecting to live seven days a week and not just on weekends.

For any employee wellness strategy plan, this change is fundamental. When nearly two-thirds of employees experience a negative impact on their personal life, such as not being able to develop personally, having physical and mental health problems, or having poor relationships, it makes no sense that they will be energized and happy enough at work to give everything they have.

To achieve work-life balance, you need to look at it from a business perspective. Organizations will see a greater response if its employees are allowed to optimize their work-life balance, which will have a hugely positive impact.

5. Enhanced Organizational Culture and Increase Brand Visibility

It is important to create a healthy culture that promotes work-life balance, and fosters trust, respect, and collaboration among employees. When your employees feel empowered to prioritize their personal lives alongside their professional responsibilities, they become more engaged, loyal, and committed to the organization's mission and goals.

Also, offering a supportive work environment that values work-life balance can be a significant differentiator for employers in today’s competitive market. Hence, prioritizing employee wellbeing and offering flexible work arrangements can help to attract employers, attracting top talent and enhance their employer brand.

Suggested Read: Top 10 Benefits Of Employee Wellness Programs

5 Ways To Foster Employee Wellness Through Work-life Balance

Employers play a significant role in supporting employee well-being and work-life balance. Here are some ways in which employers can support their employees:

1. Respect The Individuality Of Each Employee

The first step towards fostering employee wellness through work-life balance program is to know that one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work here. It is crucial to respect and remember that every employee is not same and what might work from some, might not for others.

You might find out that some employee might be happy with how they are balancing their work and personal life. While others might struggle to find the right equilibrium.

Some might thrive on starting work early and finishing early, whereas others function better starting late and finishing late. Some might like going to work every day while other employee might prefer hybrid or remote options.

Thus, it is important for you to know the individual needs of your employee when offering employees with better wellness programs and policies.

Suggested Read: Creating an Effective Corporate Wellness Program

2. Implementing Flexible Work Hours and Hybrid settings

Almost 81% of employees consider flexible working to be important and valuable. These employees demonstrated more employee engagement and a more positive employee experience.

Offering employees flexible work arrangements, including work-from-home or hybrid environments, flexitime, or compressed workweeks, allows them to better manage their schedules.

The ability to allow your employees to work remotely or adjust their working hours to accommodate family responsibilities, personal interests, and health needs demonstrates your commitment to a work-life balance.

Suggested Read: 7 Effective Ways to Prevent Work From Home Burnout

3. Promote Boundaries and Respect Working Hours

Establish clear boundaries around working hours and expectations. It will help to prevent the blurring of lines between work and personal life. Focus on productivity rather than on long hours of work.

Some tasks might take less time than expected, but employees should feel they can put in extra time when the job requires it. Try to create a healthy work culture focused on achievement, not clock-watching.

Here are a few things or steps you can practice respecting your employees’ time-

• Encourage managers and colleagues to respect each other's time outside of work hours.

• Refrain from sending non-urgent emails or messages during evenings and weekends.

• Try not to encourage overtime unless necessary.

Again, when working from home, here are a few tips you can encourage your remote employee to follow -

• Keep your phone out of your office workspace and create boundaries with your personal phone and work.

• Likewise, turn off work-related notifications after hours, on weekends, and when taking time off.

• Respect for personal time fosters a culture of balance and supports employee wellbeing.

Suggested Read: How To Boost The Mental Health Of Remote Workers?

4. Insist On Taking Break and Vacation

It is important to encourage employees to take regular breaks, vacations, and time off. Breaks away from the desk, short walks, or moving to other office areas for a change of scenery are important components of a well-being program.

TED talks are only 18 minutes long for a reason, as the human brain is only able to concentrate for 18 minutes before becoming exhausted.

Thus, taking short breaks every 25 minutes is recommended by the Pomodoro technique to remain focused and avoid procrastination.

Employees can be encouraged to prioritize self-care and rejuvenation through policies ensuring they utilize their vacation days and providing wellness days or mental health leaves.

5. Offer Wellness Programs and Resources

Provide access to employee wellness programs, resources, and support services that address various aspects of employee wellbeing, including physical, mental, and emotional health. You can offer both on-site or virtual wellness activities such as yoga, meditation sessions, stress management workshops, and nutrition counseling.

Additionally, you can also provide resources such as employee assistance programs (EAPs), mental health resources, and access to employee wellness apps like the Vantage Fit or any other platforms to support employees in their wellness journey.

Summing It Up

Work-life balance is a key factor in retaining and attracting talented employees, while creating an engaged, positive, and productive workforce. In the end, this win-win approach ensures the sustainability and success of the organization as well as its employees.

With Vantage Fit, you can foster a culture of well-being and work-life balance for your employees. We provide features for managing wellness programs, tracking engagement, and measuring impact.

Ready to unlock the power of a happy and well-balanced workforce? Visit Vantage Fit today to learn more and schedule a free demo! Let's work together to create a thriving work environment where employees and businesses can both flourish.

Begin with a Vantage Fit Demo! Schedule one now! And, Start Your Corporate Wellness Journey Today