How to maintain a healthy work-life balance

Striking a balance between work and personal life isn’t easy. So, what is it that makes your CV stand out from all the rest? The answer is simple – its ability to answer three key questions concisely.

In the modern world of work, the boundary between work and home has become increasingly blurred. Around 28% of employees worldwide now work primarily from home. This has increased four-fold since 2015.

As a result, only 38% of remote employees consider their work-life balance to be ‘somewhat healthy’ Many organisations are pushing employees to return to work in an office environment. Simultaneously, many companies face challenging skills gaps and may be asking more from their current employees. As the fast-paced corporate world evolves, it’s essential to prioritise your work-life balance.  

Benefits of improving work-life balance

Research shows that employees with a better work-life balance feel more fulfilled and are usually happier. Increased job satisfaction, in turn, leads to increased productivity and less temptation to procrastinate.

If you maintain a positive balance, you are more likely to feel in control of your life. Prioritise having choices, rather than feeling as if you are constantly making sacrifices.

You’re also likely to be less stressed and to be healthier as a result, both mentally and physically. Making time for self-care, recreation, exercise, and a healthy diet can reduce stress and burnout.

For many employees, work-life balance is a key reason why they stay with their current employer. Meanwhile, staying in a consistent role allows time to pursue personal goals and to learn new things – both at work and at home.

So, if you’re feeling stressed or overworked, there are a number of changes to your work environment you can consider to better your work-life balance.

Set boundaries and goals for your lifestyle 

The first step toward achieving your work-life balance is looking at how you work and deciding what balance looks like to you.

Some jobs naturally require a more personal connection to the work that you do. And many jobs have a unique set of contracted working hours. Work-life balance looks different for different people. It’s important to define a clear vision of your personal criteria for happiness at work. 

Assess what might be causing a poor work-life balance 

A common cause of overworking is simply poor time management. Ask yourself: do you manage your workload within normal working hours? 

If you are unable to complete tasks within your full-time hours, is this a resource issue or a time-management issue? Consider whether you could achieve the same results with better organisation and prioritisation. Our tips for improving time management might help you to take control of your work week. 

If you find yourself working more than 55 hours each week, or any time over your contracted agreement, it’s time to speak to your manager. 

Hold yourself accountable  

If your workload is manageable, but you struggle to switch off at home, it might be time to try some new habits. Allocating separate physical spaces for work and rest can be an important first step. Switching off notifications and keeping separate devices might also help.  

You may be tempted to check work emails at home. In this instance, ask yourself: is this urgent? Can it wait until my next shift?  

Find a working environment that works for you 

Some people thrive in a collaborative, office environment. Others require total silence and isolation to concentrate on their work. In today’s working world, there are more options for flexible working arrangements than ever before.

If your job predominantly involves online or computer-based tasks, you have the opportunity to decide where you work best. Where once ‘telecommuting’ seemed like a futuristic style of working, dialling into meetings from home has now become commonplace. Consider what environment suits your working style.

The benefits & drawbacks of remote and hybrid working 

For many employees, work-life balance and remote working have become synonymous. By removing the need to commute, you can regain valuable time doing what you love. On a more practical level, working from home allows you to manage some housework, deliveries, and childcare during your working day.

Is the key to a good work life balance remote working?  

Working from home is proven to hold a number of benefits for team members, including: 

• Eating more healthily
• Reducing stress
• Lowering blood pressure

The combination of commuting for a smaller amount of time and greater flexibility allows employees to feel more present in their personal lives. Importantly, remote working also necessitates a more autonomous approach. Removing negative micromanagement practices can help employees to feel more fulfilled, and even more engaged to achieve results.  

What are the challenges facing remote workers? 

However, while working from home presents obvious benefits, it’s not for everyone. Various jobs also have requirements that mean remote working isn’t an option, including: 

• Face-to-face interaction
• Mandatory presence in the office
• Sensitivity of information and technical security

Motivation is also a challenge for those who work from home. Your home is full of potential distractions and interruptions. Success as a remote worker requires self-discipline to structure your day and establish an effective routine.

Remote working can also be isolating and people should be aware they may feel lonely. If you’re considering your work-life balance, remember to balance the pros and cons of flexible working. 

If possible, take a flexible approach to your 9 to 5 

If working from home doesn’t sound like you, flexi-working hours could be an alternative solution. Flexible hours can allow you to plan your schedule more effectively and avoid peak hour commuting. This approach can result in improved productivity and less hours lost. 

Not all jobs need to be completed during traditional working hours. Reducing hours or compressing the working week are increasingly common practices. Compressed hours can help you to meet personal demands outside of work. Similarly, part-time work or job sharing are also options if a full-time salary isn’t your top priority. 

Consider what matters most to you and speak with your employer or HR team to achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

Maintain open communication with your team 

Almost all negative work patterns can be resolved through open, healthy communication. 

If you feel overworked or unable to fulfil your role for another reason, speak to your manager. They will have the power to prioritise your workload and to reallocate tasks where relevant. 

Speaking with your team and your peers regularly is also an essential part of building a positive working culture. A healthy work-life balance requires more than a distinction between work and home. You must also feel happy and engaged whilst at work. 

Beyond enjoyment and social interaction, working closely with your team can help you to distribute responsibilities, seek mentorship, and to learn from one another. Working together, whether in-person or online, is a valuable way to reduce stress. 

Top tips for a work-life balance 

Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. A healthy, sustainable approach to your working life looks different for everyone. Ultimately, flexible working policies can improve your work-life balance. But so can working a traditional 9 to 5 job in an office, if you prefer physical, structured boundaries. 

Decide what suits you best and talk to your employer about what options are available. If you can’t achieve the balance you need in your current role, speak to a recruiter about new opportunities. 

Read more guidance for work-life balance: 

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be tough. Our tips and advice from Hays experts will help you keep that balance in check:

• How to prove your value without burning yourself out
• How movement can positively impact your health and work performance