By: Steve Krause
In years past, employees were happy to give their all to a company in exchange for job security and a comfortable retirement.
Today, professionals are less interested in making that level of commitment to their employer and more interested in the personal side of life. In fact, recent surveys show lack of an acceptable work-life balance is a very popular reason for quitting a job.
Clearly, employers who are able to offer their employees a good work-life balance stand to gain in the form of higher worker-retention levels. Also, if staff members feel their employer creates a culture where work-life balance is valued, the company tends to be rewarded with staff members who are more productive, attentive and engaged. Research had indicated the benefits seen by an employer do not depend on staff members actually making use of work-life measures they are offered. Staff members just have to be confident the service is there and that they have the choice to participate, if they would like to do so.
Higher Productivity and Personal Development
While critics of work-life measures like telecommuting have argued that they facilitate laziness and lower productivity, research has indicated the exact opposite, with one study showing remote workers are actually more productive, on average, than their on-site counterparts.
Work-life measures prevent workers from burning out and excessive stress levels, both of which are productivity killers. These programs also allow workers more opportunity to improve themselves, either professionally or personally, which in turn benefits the company
Better Customer/Client Interactions
When employees are able to maintain a healthy work-life balance, they are better able to address stress in both their personal and professional lives. This lower stress level inevitably leads to a better attitude on the job and better interactions with clients or customers. In turn, this leads to an enhanced company brand and greater respect in the market.
Stronger Recruitment
As mentioned previously, today’s professionals want an employer who provides a good work-life balance, and they’re willing to leave a company that doesn’t provide one. Therefore, if your organization does offer programs designed to provide this balance, it is better positioned to recruit top talent.
Furthermore, offering programs like remote work, contract work and flexible scheduling opens up employment possibilities to critical groups, including parents with young children and retirees.
Lower Turnover Costs
On its face, high turnover costs a company significantly in terms of advertising open positions and training new employees. However, there are also a number of hidden costs associated with high turnover. When people are leaving a company en masse, it means lower productivity from inexperienced workers, loss of organizational knowledge and lower morale.
Minimizing turnover by offering employees a good work-life balance can put a lid on these costs and provide your company with a competitive advantage.
Looking for support for your team?
At Cornerstone Staffing Solutions, we support all the employee engagement and work-life balance efforts of our clients. If your company is currently in the market for a supportive staffing partner, please contact us today.
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