Work life balance

Kaleidoscope Kaleidoscope YorkshireYorkshire

Work Life Balance

AimAim

To learn more about the issues To learn more about the issues surrounding work life balance surrounding work life balance including its purpose, importance including its purpose, importance and implicationsand implications

ObjectivesObjectives

Discuss what we mean by work life balanceDiscuss what we mean by work life balance Examine some statistics relating to work life Examine some statistics relating to work life

balancebalance Describe an unhealthy work life situationDescribe an unhealthy work life situation Explore our own personal responsibility to Explore our own personal responsibility to

change change Describe the benefits of achieving a better Describe the benefits of achieving a better

work life balancework life balance Explore what the employer can doExplore what the employer can do Examine the law and legislation that affects Examine the law and legislation that affects

work life balancework life balance

What do we mean by What do we mean by work life balance?work life balance? Being aware of different demands Being aware of different demands

on time and energyon time and energy Having the ability to make choices Having the ability to make choices

in the allocation of time and energyin the allocation of time and energy Knowing what values to apply to Knowing what values to apply to

choiceschoices Making choicesMaking choices

David Clutterbuck – Managing Work David Clutterbuck – Managing Work Life Balance ( 2003 )Life Balance ( 2003 )

I wish I had spent more I wish I had spent more time at the office……time at the office……

Would you be saying this on your deathbed???

Some stats!Some stats!

1 in ? Employees are working more than 1 in ? Employees are working more than 60 hours a week?60 hours a week?

1 in 81 in 8

Some stats…contSome stats…cont

Stress related sick leave costs Stress related sick leave costs British industry £150 million every British industry £150 million every year – True or False?year – True or False?

False – Its £370 million!False – Its £370 million!

Some stats cont…Some stats cont…

A report by the CIPD in 2009 found that ?A report by the CIPD in 2009 found that ?% of workers say their employer has % of workers say their employer has family friendly policies and personal family friendly policies and personal support services in place?support services in place?

33%33% 65%65% 80%80%

Some stats cont..Some stats cont..

When working long hours more When working long hours more than a ¼ of employees feel:than a ¼ of employees feel:

Depressed – 27%Depressed – 27% Anxious – 34%Anxious – 34% Irritable – 58%Irritable – 58%

If we have an unhealthy If we have an unhealthy work balance what are the work balance what are the signs that we see?signs that we see?

SignsSigns UnhappinessUnhappiness On the ‘merry go round’ without controlOn the ‘merry go round’ without control Lack of enthusiasm / devotion to the workLack of enthusiasm / devotion to the work Worry Worry Feel like you are spending little time with family and / or Feel like you are spending little time with family and / or

friendsfriends Forever catching upForever catching up Increase in smoking, drinkingIncrease in smoking, drinking Lack of rests / breaksLack of rests / breaks Developing poor eating habitsDeveloping poor eating habits Tiredness / exhaustionTiredness / exhaustion Increase in deadlinesIncrease in deadlines Lack of supervisionLack of supervision Arduous travel / commuteArduous travel / commute

What can we do What can we do ourselves?ourselves? Take personal responsibilityTake personal responsibility Keep a trackKeep a track Don’t work long hoursDon’t work long hours Take regular rests / breaksTake regular rests / breaks Draw the lineDraw the line AwarenessAwareness Change jobs?Change jobs?

How can the employer How can the employer / organisation help?/ organisation help?

Promote a good work life balancePromote a good work life balance Create policies and procedures Create policies and procedures Create conducive atmosphereCreate conducive atmosphere Training for ManagersTraining for Managers Review work rolesReview work roles Managing absenceManaging absence Time offTime off Mental Health at workMental Health at work

So…..if our work life So…..if our work life balance is healthy, balance is healthy, what are the benefits?what are the benefits? Benefits to the employerBenefits to the employer Benefits to the individualBenefits to the individual

Benefits to the Benefits to the EmployerEmployer

Higher productivity Higher productivity Increased flexibilityIncreased flexibility Better service for clientsBetter service for clients Raised morale, motivation and Raised morale, motivation and

commitmentcommitment Reduced absenteeismReduced absenteeism Improved recruitment and retentionImproved recruitment and retention Meeting legal requirementsMeeting legal requirements

Benefits to the Benefits to the individualindividual More value and balance in your daily More value and balance in your daily

lifelife A sense of control over work, family A sense of control over work, family

and leisureand leisure Improved relationships both on and off Improved relationships both on and off

the jobthe job Reduction in stress ( and other Reduction in stress ( and other

problems e.g. anxiety,sleep problems )problems e.g. anxiety,sleep problems )

The Law!The Law!

Annual LeaveAnnual Leave Working TimeWorking Time Parental LeaveParental Leave Time off for dependant careTime off for dependant care Maternity leaveMaternity leave Paternity leavePaternity leave Adoption leaveAdoption leave Right to request flexible workingRight to request flexible working Part time workPart time work DetrimentDetriment

What employers do What employers do nextnext Identify business needIdentify business need Adapting policiesAdapting policies PerformancePerformance GuidelinesGuidelines Lead from the topLead from the top CommunicateCommunicate Monitor progressMonitor progress

And finally…And finally…

Work life balance can Work life balance can offer potential benefits to offer potential benefits to both the employer ( in both the employer ( in terms of competitive terms of competitive performance, positive performance, positive culture etc ) and to the culture etc ) and to the employee ( in terms of employee ( in terms of greater well being )greater well being )