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Introduction
Work-life balance is a broad concept including proper prioritizing between „work“ (career and ambition) on one hand and „life“ (health, pleasure, leisure, family and spiritual development) in the other.
Definition: What is work-life balance?
The term work-life balance comes from the English (work, life, balance) and describes the healthy balance between work and private life. This includes, on the one hand, the job and all areas related to work and, on the other hand, a happy family and private life, i.e. family, hobbies, health and other areas of life, which can look different for each person.
Each person has only a limited amount of time and energy available per day. To create a healthy work-life balance, the resources of time and energy must be used in such a way that both areas are equally supplied. If someone puts most of their time or energy into only one of the areas of life, then the other suffers and growth stagnates.
What work-life balance means: Advantages and Disadvantages
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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Family and career are more compatiblet
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Working hours are extended uncontrollably, to the disadvantage of employees
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Productive phases can be better used
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The own pressure to perform leads to self-exploitation
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Working time has not to be written down
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Health risks increase due to the lack of a controlling authority
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No vacation days have to be taken for private matters
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The boundaries between colleagues and friends dissolve, which can lead to negative consequences in the event of conflicts or job loss
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Motivation increases as a result of greater self-determination
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Company work-life balance measures aim to enable a balance between professional life and family, social, cultural or private needs. Self-management and time management, as well as the prioritization of interests, are the responsibility of each individual. However, the individual's ability to plan depends on the ability to plan working time, working time flexibility and other operational framework conditions.
Improving work-life balance
Improving work-life balance
| Build a good relationship with colleagues |
A strained relationship with colleagues and superiors increases the psychological stress enormously. This ranges from competition and putting each other under pressure to bullying at work and loneliness. That's why it's important to resolve conflicts internally, work in teams, show consideration and spend breaks together. If you've been neglecting to reach out to your colleagues or build cohesion, why not start now and bring a snack for everyone?
If you foster relationships with your co-workers, work won't seem like work at all. You'll be much more productive in an environment where the mood is positive.
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| Equate private and professional appointments |
Private "appointments" are easier to postpone than professional ones. After all, friends and family are more understanding than the employer, and you also need your rest sometimes. But it's better to be safe than sorry. For a healthy work-life balance, private plans should be taken just as seriously as work appointments. Otherwise, there is a danger that in the long run life will consist only of work and rest. The permanent lack of social contacts can lead to loneliness and depression.
Private appointments and contacts should therefore not be underestimated. Neglecting them jeopardizes a healthy work-life balance and limits your quality of life.
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| Health and movement |
To be in harmony with oneself does not only mean to achieve private and professional success. Mental health, which is consolidated and strengthened by a stable environment, also includes physical health. Many people need sufficient exercise and a healthy diet. Especially if you work in the office, sit all day and only quickly warm up something to eat during your short break.
Take a long walk now and then, go to the gym or go jogging. Friends and family can be involved. Sports release endorphins and help you relieve work stress. Make sure you cook fresh meals on the weekends, preferably with others. In this way, you ensure that your social life, job and physical health are in good balance.
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How employers can help employees improve their work-life balance:
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 Offer a flexible working time model
 Clearly communicate for employee offers - including vacation time, time off for community initiatives, health insurance, and even office perks.
 Encourage exercise - not only as part of workplace health management, but also as a way to collaborate collegially or athletically
 Give employees weekends off (e.g., no answering emails) and let them take all the vacation days they are allowed to take
Support social and team-building activities
Always keep the door open: This gives employees the confidence to communicate openly, talk about issues, and share ideas. This reduces stress and improves cooperation
 Motivate employees to work on their own initiative, develop their skills and show them their role in achieving the company's goals
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How employees can improve their own work-life balance:
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Prioritize time: Be realistic about what you can really do in a day
Structure work life: Make a timetable and allow yourself time to have conversations, eat, drink, and take bathroom breaks. And: stop at a decent time at the end of the day
Make sports a must, not a can
Take a vacation: Even if vacationing is difficult this year, your employees should definitely take some time off from the office (especially if they've been working from home all this time)
Talk about problems and challenges at work - from unrealistic deadlines to unfair responsibilities or time-consuming requirements that could be simplified
Use strengths: Employees should not try to please everyone
Employees should reach out to others when they have ideas and try to find inspiration in their own work
Doing what you love: Employees should leave work behind once in a while and take time out of their free time to do what they enjoy
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Tips and exercises
Strategies for a good work life balance
Life-Work Balance Checklist: Be honest to yourself!
Summary
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flexible working hours
- stress reduction
- time saving
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