{"id":241,"date":"2020-06-10T06:37:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-10T06:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qandle.com\/blog\/?p=241"},"modified":"2024-03-20T18:18:46","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T18:18:46","slug":"what-should-companies-do-about-work-life-integration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qandle.com\/blog\/what-should-companies-do-about-work-life-integration\/","title":{"rendered":"What Companies Don\u2019t (But Should) have about Work-Life Integration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let\u2019s face it. Work life balance<\/a> is dead. It is unrealistic, and expecting it is met with surprised looks and furrowed brows. We can all blame the Internet for this.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It starts with a cursory glance at an email notification<\/a> on your phone. At that point, it\u2019s the flashing frenzy of reasoning that it could be a crisis; so you read the email. At that juncture, it’s already past the critical moment. You\u2019re in it now; you realize you need to react to it some time anyway, so why not now? Despite it being Sunday, it holds no sway over you as you craft and send the reply without hesitation.<\/p>\n\n

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\u201cI tell people about work\/life integration, not balance,\u201d says Ellen Langer, the Harvard professor attributed to coining the term. \u201cBalance suggests that the two are opposite and have nothing in common. But that\u2019s not true.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Integration is the idea that work and life seep into each other and it is unavoidable to keep them separate. Although it is unspoken, but employees, especially knowledge workers nowadays are expected to be accessible all day, every day. There are no cut off times, and the 40-hour workweek doesn\u2019t generally make a difference. Those who work remotely, have no choice but to check our telephones continually for work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most concerning issue with this is that we, despite everything, try to accomplish work life balance and get baffled or disappointed when we can\u2019t. At the same time, organizations are thinking of approaches to keep employees away from burnout while pushing for high efficiency and commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking for guidance on fostering a healthy work-life balance<\/a> for employees, here are some key tips to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Reward your employees for working on weekends<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledge and appreciate employees who willingly work extra to meet deadlines and deliver exceptional results. Express gratitude openly instead of silently implying they should not overexert themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Establish policies that encourage employees to take breaks when they feel fatigued or drained, knowing that the organization recognizes and values their extra efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Express gratitude and kindness<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Practice kindness. Say \u2018thank you\u2019 frequently, regardless of whether it\u2019s in a sticky note or on the office floor or on a Zoom call. The quicker organizations understand this, the easier it will be to hire and keep hold of their best assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Provide employees reasons to give their best for the organization<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Without receiving something in return, no one would sustain enthusiasm for work indefinitely.\u00a0
Without receiving recognition or rewards, people won’t naturally enhance their productivity or become dedicated brand advocates. Over time, without acknowledgment, they may feel disillusioned, pressured, and eventually seek opportunities they perceive as more rewarding.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Millennials \u2013 47% of whom work long hours versus 38% for Gen Xers and 28% for Boomers \u2013 exceptionally value acknowledgment, the work environment, and they demand face-time from their bosses. Leaders should regularly engage in one-on-one sessions with each team member, not to criticize or reprimand, but to recognize their contributions, offer assistance if needed, and ensure their satisfaction with both the work and the work environment.\u00a0<\/p>