Promoting balance and wellbeing in the workplace: National Work Life Week

National Work Life Week was first established in 2010 as a Working Families annual campaign to get both employers and employees talking about wellbeing at work and work life balance. This year the National Work Life Week takes place from the 7th until the 11th of October, with a particular focus on flexible working.  

Why is work life balance important? 

Work occupies a significant portion of many people’s waking hours throughout the typical work week. That’s why it’s crucial to nurture aspects of our lives that contribute to our health and happiness. While career advancement and professional satisfaction are important, wellbeing also encompasses everything beyond work that enriches our lives, such as family, hobbies, relationships, health, sleep, exercise and more. 

Having a healthy work life balance is important because it: 

  • Improves quality of life by enhancing mental and physical wellbeing, creating better relationships, and increasing overall satisfaction and happiness. 
  • Increases productivity by allowing individuals to recharge during personal time, leading to greater energy, creativity and motivation when they return to work. 
  • Reduces the risk of burnout by ensuring individuals have adequate time to rest, recover, and engage in activities that rejuvenate them, preventing chronic stress and mental exhaustion. 
  • Positively impacts mental health by reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and providing time for self-care and personal activities, which helps maintain emotional stability and resilience. 
  • Increases employee retention by fostering a supportive and satisfying work environment, where employees feel valued and are less likely to seek out opportunities elsewhere due to burnout or dissatisfaction. 

How can employers promote a healthy work life balance? 

It is important that employers promote a healthy work life balance because they have the power to create policies and a workplace culture that supports employees’ wellbeing on a larger scale. When employers take the initiative, it ensures that work life balance is accessible and integrated into the organisation’s structure, leading to consistent and sustainable practices that benefit all employees, rather than leaving it up to individuals who may lack the resources or influence to make lasting changes on their own. 

Top tips for employers encouraging work life balance 

Here are a few things that employers can do to promote a healthier work life balance: 

  • Flexible and remote working allows employees to tailor their work schedules and environments to better accommodate personal needs and responsibilities. 
  • Encouraging managers to promote productivity over hours worked helps by focusing on the quality and efficiency of work rather than the sheer number of hours, which can lead to more meaningful and results-driven performance. 
  • Providing regular breaks helps to prevent mental fatigue, enhances focus and productivity, and promotes overall wellbeing by allowing employees to rest and recharge. 
  • Reviewing workloads periodically ensures that tasks are manageable, prevents overburdening employees, and allows for adjustments to maintain a balanced workload. 
  • Leading by example is critical as the management’s behaviour sets the tone for the team, demonstrating that balance is valued and achievable, which encourages employees to prioritise their own wellbeing and creates a healthier, more supportive work environment. 

National Work Life Week serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritising a work life balance and fostering mental and physical wellbeing. And let’s remember too that a balanced approach to work and life is not just beneficial to the individual and their life but it’s essential for a thriving, productive and satisfied workforce. 

If your organisation needs help establishing a wellbeing programme, flexible working policies or any other element that helps to strike that work-life balance, get in touch and we’d be happy to he