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Who Manages Your Work-Life Balance?

Many of us struggle to achieve a healthy balance  between work and family or personal life. But, whose responsibility (the employee or the employer) is it to ensure that an individual achieves that work-life balance? And at whose expense?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a report that states perhaps now more than ever before, job stress poses a threat to the health of workers and thus the health of the organizations that employ them.

One-fourth of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives. -Northwestern National Life

Three-fourths of employees believe the worker has more on-the-job stress than a generation ago. -Princeton Survey Research Associates

Problems at work are more strongly associated with health complaints than are any other life stressor-more so than even financial problems or family problems. -St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co.

If achieving balance between work and family/personal life combats job stress and therefore increases productivity, this should be a priority in every HR department. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Therefore, employees often find creative ways to find balance on their own like having grandparents babysit the kids during the day so they can sneak out during lunch to pick up dry cleaning. With all of this running around, it’s almost impossible to be productive at work and enjoy life away from the office.

achieving work/life balance benefits all

Happier employees are more productive and stay longer at an organization thus reducing the cost of recruitment and training. Employers can also offer benefits that reduce job stress such as:

  • Creating a supportive work environment
  • Offering workshops and resources on topics such as stress and healthy living
  • Offer fitness facilities for employees to utilize or reimburse gym memberships
  • Provide benefits that offer ways to simplify life at home and the office

Concierge companies offer a solution.

Instead of offering flex-time, companies should explore offering concierge services as a benefit for employees to achieve work/life balance. Employees can outsource personal projects or everyday tasks that they don’t like to do, don’t feel that they have time to do or realize don’t require their personal touch. It’s a choice to live life in a different way and a simpler way at home and at work.

Whether you run a company or are an employee, reach out to our team to learn how our Personal Admin Services can benefit you. We offer a variety of packages a company can offer their employees.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.