Our Ideas for getting involved in National Work Life Week
It’s National Work-Life Week and this provides the perfect opportunity to put a spotlight on the need for work-life balance for all small businesses and the business benefits of getting it right. Here are seven core themes to help you plan your week:
Senior Sponsorship
Lack of senior sponsorship is a key reason that change initiatives fail. On the other hand, a sponsor who has credibility, reputation and authority to demonstrate the urgency and need for work-life balance will catalyse and energise your organisation. Help your sponsor create and publicise a clear line of sight between work-life balance and your organisation’s vision and goals
Share what works
Change guru John Kotter wrote that people change what they do because of seeing real life truths that change their feelings NOT because of analysis that changes their thinking. Share case studies of what works in your organisation and use role models to inspire and catalyse change.
Go home on time
One of the most obvious ways to enable better work-life balance is to break the vicious cycle of presenteeism. There is very strong evidence that long work hours reduce decision quality and work performance, as well as squeezing the time for a healthy lifestyle and time with family and friends. Share this evidence, promote the role models and encourage your staff to go home on time.
Engage and educate
Raise awareness and provide practical tools that improve performance and work-life balance right now as well as providing the opportunity to step back and take a broader look at life and career.
Family and community time
Recognise that everyone has a life outside work, and that this brings vital skills back into the workplace e.g leading and motivating others, resolving conflict, working to deadlines, prioritising or budget management. Enable staff to demonstrate pride they have in their work by bringing family to work, community or family fun days or a working party to help a local school or community group.
Exercise
The business case for fit and healthy employees is proven: reduced absenteeism, increased emotional resilience, confidence and alertness. Encourage employees to take exercise and demonstrate how important it is, eg with on-site health checks, corporate gym membership, exercise facilities, walking or cycling to work or in break times.
Healthy eating
What we eat impacts our energy levels and ability to concentrate. What is more, there is very clear evidence that certain foods such as saturated fats negatively impact brain function, such as the ability to recall information, facts and figures. Other foods will energise and support alertness. Promote healthy eating eg by providing fruit mid-morning or afternoon.
Read more about National Work Life Week here
