Work-life balance is the pinnacle of employee happiness, and without a stable sense of it, things can quickly fall apart for your business. As a leader within your startup, you set the tone and example for what you expect of your employees, and if you’re overworked, constantly stressed, and drowning in deadlines, odds are highly likely that your employees are too. Rather than hope the sinking ship stays afloat, do more to ensure you can carry on, smooth sailing.

In striving to help employees achieve a healthy work-life balance, you must first make a pointed effort to strike your own cadence between the company’s needs, your personal needs, and employee morale. Nobody ever wants to feel like their job is their entire life, so it’s well worth your while to figure out ways to encourage a healthy work-life balance that genuinely allows your employees to work hard and play hard each and every day.

What are the benefits of work-life balance?

• Increased productivity: When you allow your employees to breathe and handle their workloads without any overbearing fear of falling behind, you boost their productivity levels. It’s a total no brainer that with more work-life balance comes a more refreshed mind that’s ready to work and ready to innovate.
• Lower absenteeism: One of the more difficult employee problems to bounce back from is those who have checked out and have lost their drive to work hard. With increased work-life balance, you can fend off burnout and absenteeism in one fell swoop.
• A happier, less stressed workforce: Nobody likes to work in an environment where everyone is bogged down with stress. You’ll see fewer people taking lunches and fewer smiles around the office. Nip that in the bud by encouraging employees to take breaks, breathe, relax, and refresh.
• Greater employee loyalty, commitment, and motivation: Employees that feel that their work-life balance is a top priority are bound to feel more valued by the company. With this comes greater employee retention and satisfaction.

How can I promote an improved work-life balance?

Unlimited PTO

Offering unlimited PTO effectively reduces the chances of employees coming in sick and it allows employees to escape the time-dependent pain of relying on PTO hours to accrue over months. Without any worry about “saving up” PTO for a much-needed vacation, to see family, or to stay home when they’re sick, your employees are bound to be happier. To learn more about Achieving a Great Work-Life Balance, Click here.

Allow employees to work remotely

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing industries to go completely remote, odds are incredibly likely that your workforce has gotten a taste of working from home, and even more probable, have taken a liking toward it. Embracing telecommunication options might benefit the company as a whole and give employees a bit more freedom to create a schedule that works for them.

Promote an open-door policy

Building trust beyond anonymous surveys and a pre-screening employment history check is an absolute must within the modern workforce. Creating a culture where trust and two-way communication are valued is not something that is crafted overnight, so don’t expect your employees to open up immediately.

Foster a healthy venue where you actively encourage employees to discuss their difficulties with the company, staff, everyday happenings, and so on. The more transparent everyone is able to be, the easier it will be to identify and remedy outstanding pain points

Recognize & reward good work

When good work is recognized, employee happiness skyrockets. Without any sense of reward or recognition, employee incentive to go above and beyond is nonexistent. Make it a point to appreciate and honor great work by implementing an employee of the month program or by taking individuals or teams out for complimentary lunches.

After all, your employees spend the majority of their time working, and that work should feel fulfilling.

Develop employees

Stagnancy is easily equatable to the death of an employee’s performance. Without any feasible professional development, your employees can be left feeling like their future at your startup is stunted and inevitably short-lived.

 

As a manager/ leader, make it a point to create programs that focus on developing employees and fostering a constant culture of growth and learning. When employees get used to this endless learning culture, they’re far more likely to contribute to organizational success.

 

Work-life balance is an essential piece to any growing business should you wish to grow a team of motivated, productive, and happy employees. Using these tips, you’ll be well on your way.