{"id":11098,"date":"2022-09-20T12:21:11","date_gmt":"2022-09-20T16:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=11098"},"modified":"2026-02-09T05:29:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T10:29:14","slug":"hr-support-better-work-life-balance-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/hr-support-better-work-life-balance-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"12 ways to support a better work-life balance for your employees"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMoney Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t12 ways to support a better work-life balance for your employees\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\tJessica Leyshon<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Live to work, or work to live?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a question that many members of the modern workforce are asking themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many people, work finishes at the end of the working day. But for many more, it can eat into the evening and even the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some employees welcome this, but others abhor it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good People Company<\/a> \u2013 an organization that puts its people first over everything else \u2013 will understand its employees and their work-life needs and desires based on their personalities and expectations from work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although employers alone can\u2019t provide a 100% work-life balance for their employees \u2013 employees have to take some responsibility<\/a> to change their attitudes to work and home life \u2013 there are many things companies can do to help workers to find and maintain a work balance that\u2019s right for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, here are some workplace practices employers can adopt to ensure they\u2019re supporting their employees to get the balance right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Member Masterclass: Talks from the world’s leading experts<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Learn how to find and keep great people. All Sage customers and partners have automatic access to Sage Membership, which includes Member Masterclass. For a limited time, this member resource is open to everyone.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExplore Member Masterclass<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Duke\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. Offer flexible and remote working<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

81% of the 3,500 employees we polled placed importance and value on flexible working. They want to be trusted to manage when, where, and how they work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no surprise really.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workers value employers who empower them to manage their own time. Employees feel valued at companies where they know they can finish earlier get their boiler fixed or see a physician when needed, safe in the knowledge that their employer knows that they\u2019ll still get the job done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Encourage managers to focus on productivity rather than hours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rather than count the hours employees work, encourage managers to focus on the completion of a particular task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some days employees may need to put in long hours to complete a task, but this is offset by the days when they don\u2019t need to do a full eight-hour day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Encourage breaks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Encourage your employees to take breaks, take a walk or even work in an entirely different part of the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can create break-out rooms or set aside spare desks that workers can go to. Sometimes team chatter and phones can be overwhelming and it\u2019s healthy to break away for a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Download your free guide, 6 ways to create amazing workforce experiences<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Regularly review workloads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Review your allocation of duties to ensure individuals have achievable workloads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will need to familiarise yourself with the processes of allocating work. What seems like a small task to management might actually take an individual a day to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Managers who talk to their teams regularly will know who is busy and stressed, and who has capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask your staff regularly to indicate to managers whether they are overworked, just right, or have spare capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Lead by example<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ensure that managers and the senior leadership team enjoy a healthy work-life balance too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure they\u2019re leaving the office on time, taking breaks, and not emailing workers out of office hours or expecting them to deliver work in unworkable time scales when it isn\u2019t urgent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Give employees time to volunteer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Research shows millennials are more motivated by social action rather than simply just getting paid when looking for employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having the opportunity to do good is not just confined to millennials, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if workers are allowed the freedom to give back while working, they will generally feel good about themselves and about their workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Empower your people with Sage People<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Request a free, live demo of Sage People and discover how it can help your organization attract the best people, retain your key talent, and increase productivity.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRequest a demo<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"2\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Reconsider time off<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Could you afford to give your staff more time off?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Equally, another way to prevent burnout is to force workers to take their time off within the year by not allowing them to carry over vacation days or capping how many days they can carry over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most team members would rather book the time off than risk losing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Increase support for parents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Often companies lose great talent, especially mothers, because they can\u2019t cater to their childcare needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem isn\u2019t restricted to mommies alone, with many men<\/a> saying they want to spend more time with their children, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensure the moms and dads in your organization are getting a better work-life balance, so you don\u2019t lose precious expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not all companies can provide company daycare centers. However, you can consider ways to help with childcare costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, providing better and equal benefits for maternity, paternity, or shared parental leave will encourage all parents to balance their working life and parenthood regardless of their gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And consider if you can do more to offer parents part-time roles or job shares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Offer health cash plans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Provide health cash plans providing reassurance to employees knowing that they have insurance if they or their family become unwell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also encourages a more proactive approach to health check-ups and inoculations leading to fewer staff absences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Download your free guide, 6 ways to create amazing workforce experiences<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Perks or no perks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our research revealed that while 40% of business owners believe office games and similar benefits are important to employees, just 5% of workers agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you\u2019re considering perks in the office such as ping pong tables, think again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there may be additional services that can save employees time and money and alleviate stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Subsidized gym membership or free fitness classes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A discount at the dry cleaners<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Massages in the office<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Company cars or support including petrol allowance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Repairs and maintenance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Helping staff with their tax returns or tax support if they have any questions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Think about what\u2019s right for your people and your company, and design experiences personalized to your workforce and your people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    11. Ask your employees for views<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Almost half of workers (47%) have never been asked by their employer what will improve their experiences, our research found. Only 12% are asked on a regular basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Want to create a better work-life balance for your employees? Try asking them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    12. Acknowledge every employee is different<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Many of your employees may be desperate to achieve a better work-life balance. However, others may feel satisfied with the time they spend working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some may want to start work later but be happy to finish later too. Others may not mind working extended hours, if it means they can switch off when they get home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some may be eager to work part-time, but just don\u2019t know how to approach the matter with their manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Companies that attract \u2013 and keep \u2013 the best people know that every employee is different, and they design experiences at work that can be personalized for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If your company is serious about creating a better work-life balance for your employees, there won\u2019t be a one-size-fits-all that works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You\u2019ll need to tailor your approach to each employee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The importance of tailoring experiences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The benefits of a healthier work-life balance to your business are phenomenal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Not only are workers happier and more productive but your company will become well known for looking after employees and so will attract top talent helping to hire and retain the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Really, it comes down to whether your business is a People Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Are you an organization where your people are the most valuable asset, and where company success is dependent on their workforce being successful?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If so, supporting a good work-life balance is vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Request a free, live demo of Sage People and discover how it can help your organization attract the best people, retain your key talent, and increase productivity.<\/p>\n

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    Live to work or work to live? A question asked by many members of the modern workforce. How can we help employees become well-rested and happier at work?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1118,"featured_media":9292,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[284,17,166],"business_type":[],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[99,98,97],"imagine_tag":[215,462],"coauthors":[734],"class_list":["post-11098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","tag-hiring","tag-hr-payroll","tag-hr-software"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-us","author_name":"Jessica Leyshon","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1193068676.jpg","imagine_tags":{"215":"HR and Payroll","462":"Payments"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice US","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1118"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11098"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11098\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34503,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11098\/revisions\/34503"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/9292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11098"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=11098"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=11098"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=11098"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=11098"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=11098"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=11098"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=11098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}