Unlocking Productivity: The Power of Work – Life Balance in the Workplace

             How Work – Life Balance Increases Productivity

Although the discussion around work – life balance has significantly increased in the corporate world, few have truly understood what it really means and why it is absolutely necessary in all workplaces today. Building a healthy atmosphere and following good work practices is not only important for ethical purposes but also for the productivity of the workplace itself. There are many common ways in which employees experience problems in their office that directly affect their productivity as an individual or as a group, ultimately damaging the company’s interest. 

It is thus important for bosses and employees alike to know how having a good work – life balance has become necessary today. Here are the different ways it increases productivity.

Energetic workforce

A well-rested workforce is a non-negotiable requirement for a company’s growth. When employees experience a decent work – life balance at their workplace, they are better rested mentally and physically. If we compare this with the archaic practices of making employees work 10-12 hour shifts a day, it becomes obvious why they are not able to give their best during their work shifts. An exhausted employee can only get so much done, and it is futile to increase productivity by simply increasing the work hours. All it will do is force all employees to leave the company and find other options due to the added stress.

Instead, they should be given a fair amount of workload and shift duration while also making sure the employees know where and how much they are expected to deliver. Once they know what is expected of them, they will automatically ramp up their productivity and even end up delivering more in fewer work hours. They will be physically rested and mentally sharp, which will make it effortless for them to deliver on their expectations. 

Boosted creativity

Jobs that require you to tap into your creative thinking will need you to remain in a mentally calm and peaceful state to think creatively. A person working a creative job needs to be relaxed and above the work stress to bring out the best result. But this is simply impossible in a workplace that does not follow good work – life balance habits. Anybody who works in a creative field like advertising or fashion design knows that one needs to be in a soothing space and not in a position where they are ill-rested and under constant pressure.

Seniors or managers of an organisation must ensure that their subordinates are working in a welcoming environment where they have a space where they can be comfortably creative. 

Reduced scope for conflict

One of the biggest reasons why we see conflicts in the workplace is when the employees experience that they are overworked, underpaid and overly pressurised, whereas the managers often complain about lack of performance by the employees. Although it is true that every office will have some or the other kind of conflicts or disagreements, a lot of these issues take place when the company does not follow work – life balance rules, which further creates a distance between the employees and the organisation. 

Improving the organisation’s atmosphere for the employees will make a tremendous difference in their morale and significantly cut down most breeding causes of conflicts.

Employee retention

Many companies struggle to hold employees for longer periods of time for several reasons. A constant turnover rate in any team can make it problematic for the company to yield long-term benefits, as it takes time for any employee to get set in their work and deliver accordingly. Losing employees at a rapid rate is never a good sign for any company. While you can only do so much to ensure longer employee retention, one must ensure that a stressful environment is not the reason why employees resign from the workplace. 

If you want to make sure that the employee turnover rate in your company goes down and stays there, it is vital to identify the most common reasons behind their decision to resign, which are often related to a lack in work – life balance. 

Positive reinforcement to get results

Work – life balance provides an excellent positive reinforcement to employees to perform well at work. Rather than fear losing their jobs, employees will perform better knowing that they work in an organisation that respects and tends to their employees’ well-being. Companies should set examples by rewarding the best performers with decent bonuses, salary raises, and promotions that will directly benefit them. Instead, some organisations end up creating difficulties for their employees to even take leaves and enjoy them without getting work-related interruptions. No employee would work for better results under such circumstances, which would ultimately bring losses to the company. 

It is thus necessary to give positive reinforcements to the entire workforce, with maintaining a good work – life balance being one of the important ones. 

Professional satisfaction

While there are some people who solely work for a paycheck, there are many who are looking for growth opportunities and professional thrill in their jobs. You may find some employees who have served their companies for several years and, in some cases, even decades. Companies will likely not have such long-time employees unless they respect work – life balance. When employees like their jobs and enjoy spending more time at the office, they will spend more time at their company and consequently contribute much more to work. It builds a great equation between company management and the workforce, which is perhaps the biggest sign of a healthy workplace.

Conclusion

While there is no set formula for a good work – life balance, company leaders and founders are at liberty to create their own kind of balance which suits best to everyone’s interests. It has become increasingly important in the modern world to create a vibrant yet welcoming atmosphere in the workplace that proactively seeks out its employees’ well-being while also looking after the company’s interests. A sound work – life balance is thus not only a right of the employees, but the key for heightened productivity and the organisation’s growth itself