How to give and get a balanced work life

A balanced work life is key to attracting people to work positions, and retaining them, according to a recent study. Hudson Recruitment Australia’s research study, The Hiring Report: The State of Hiring in Australia 2015, reveals the current trends, challenges and opportunities for recruitment based on a study of 3,228 Australian managers. Corporations can give naturally and ethically just by promoting a healthy work-life balance in the workplace. This can be achieved by providing the option for flexible work hours.

The Hudson Report indicates that the top factor in enticing professionals to a new role is a balanced work life with flexible arrangements. The top ten enticements were: balanced work life (70% of respondents), higher salary (67%), cultural fit within the organization or team (64%), career progression or training opportunities (58%), better benefits (46%), a company whose values are closer to the employees’ values (36%), stronger management (30%), better brand (14%), and better job title (13%).

Look for companies that make a conscious effort to give employees a balanced work life or start giving yourself a balanced work life.

Hence organizations can tempt new workers by giving them more than just money – by giving them a balanced work life. And as an individual, when changing jobs, mention a balanced work life as part of your requests. Even existing employees can request this as part of their annual appraisal. However, organizations, especially small to medium enterprises, may have challenges in providing employees with a balanced work, through flexible hours. It is not always easy to arrange. And not all employees want it – it’s a choice.

For individuals here’s five ways to start giving yourself a balanced work life, suggested by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein, authors of The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life (2014):

1. Build downtime in your schedule – consciously schedule time, at least once a week, with your family and/or friends to help you recharge (such as a movie, cycling in the park, or a reading night)
2. Drop the activities that sap your time or energy – review activities that don’t enhance your career or personal life and minimize or drop them
3. Rethink your errands – streamline your errands such as picking up your dry cleaning and groceries, or arranging some errands to be delivered to your home or office
4. Get moving – make time for exercise by walking or cycling to work, going to the gym or for a walk at lunch time, or go for a swim in the morning (studies show that 30 minutes three times a week will greatly benefit your health and wellbeing)
5. Relax – small changes like leaving work earlier one night a week, or relaxing for an hour doing a hobby, or listening to music to take your mind off work will recharge your energy.

Look for companies that make a conscious effort to give employees a balanced work life or start giving yourself a balanced work life. A better balanced you is a step towards a better balanced relationship with your job, your work colleagues, your family and loved ones, and with others.