What
is work-life balance?
Why is work-life balance relevant?
Why is work-life balance a business issue?
What are the key issues in Hong Kong ?
Is discussion of work-life balance still relevant during
a recession?
What can companies do to address work-life balance?
Aren’t work-life balance policies just for large companies?
How can you address work-life balance in one day?
Why should my company take part in Work-Life Balance Day?
What does my company need to do to take part in Work-Life
Balance Day?
If I am an employee, and I would like my company to sign
up, what do you suggest I do?
What kind of things can my company do on Work-Life Balance
Day?
What
is work-life balance?
Work-life balance is not necessarily about achieving an equal balance
and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach that companies should be
striving for. It varies for individuals and changes over time. However,
one definition that is useful is the following from The Work Foundation:
“Work-life balance is about people having a measure of control over when,
where and how they work. It is achieved when an individual's right to
a fulfilled life inside and outside paid work is accepted and respected
as the norm, to the mutual benefit of the individual, business and society.”
Why is work-life
balance relevant?
For companies committed to CSR focusing on work-life balance is critical.
Employers have a responsibility to ensure that employees are treated fairly
and respected as individuals. However, it is not merely about being socially
responsible. Increasingly employees are expecting reasonable and flexible
working arrangements, particularly the new generation entering the work
force. Addressing work-life balance therefore becomes important in terms
of an employer’s brand and being an ‘employer of choice’.
Why is work-life balance a business issue?
Poor work life balance has a negative impact on both the employees and
the business. Committing too much to work can lead to stress, physical
illness, depression and mental illness, comprised safety and damaged relationships
of employees. For the business, productivity may be impaired through absenteeism,
poor performance, injuries, lack of motivation or engagement or increased
errors or faults. This is supported by the findings of the 2008
Survey which shows:
Poor WLB adversely
impacts productivity, health and family life
- 60% report prolonged
fatigue and extreme tiredness
- 49% say they do
not have enough time with partner and family
- 42% say work pressure
creates insomnia and poor diet
- 30% report getting
sick easily due to heavy workload
- 38% say productivity
and work quality is reduced due to long working hours
What are the
key issues in Hong Kong ?
The key work-life balance issues can be read in our State
of Work-Life Balance in Hong Kong 2008 Survey. The 2009 Survey will
be launched on 19 October 2009.
Is discussion
of work-life balance still relevant during a recession?
Now that we find ourselves in a period of economic downturn, some are
arguing that talk of work-life balance is no longer relevant. Whilst there
is no doubt that companies are under extreme pressure and need to find
ways to achieve more with less, the fact is that companies are only as
healthy and productive as the people that power them. Ensuring the work-life
balance of employees is clearly critical in this respect. The current
economic climate could even be said to provide a new argument for flexibility
in the workplace which should appeal in particular to small businesses.
By offering a variety of working arrangements (e.g. part-time working
options) to suit both the individual and the business, a company is able
to adjust staffing levels to reflect the level of business whilst at the
same time maintaining the talent for the long-term.
What can companies
do to address work-life balance?
There are many things that companies can do to address and we have a collection
of Case Studies that can serve as a source of ideas. However, in general
terms promoting work-life balance requires setting the tone at the top,
integrating work-life balance into the culture of your company, engaging
your employees to understand their interests, defining clear guidelines
and equipping and supporting your staff to implement the policies.
Aren’t work-life
balance policies just for large companies?
This is a common criticism of work-life balance policies. However as the
collection of case studies shows, there is no one size that fits all and
companies of any profile can take steps to promote work-life balance in
their organisations. Arguably, smaller organisations can afford a greater
deal of flexibility when it comes to developing work arrangements that
accommodate the needs of specific individuals. Companies should also consider
the cost of not addressing work-life balance – can companies really afford
the cost of lower productivity, absenteeism and staff turnover that may
result from an overworked and disengaged workforce?
How can you
address work-life balance in one day?
You cannot. Work-Life Balance Day on Friday 23 October is primarily about
raising awareness of the importance of work-life balance as a business
issue. It is about challenging mindsets in the hope that change will take
place overtime.
Why should my company take part in Work-Life Balance Day?
We are encouraging as many companies as possible in Hong Kong to sign
up to Work-Life Balance Day as a demonstration – both publically and
to your employees – that your company recognises the importance of work-life
balance as a business issue.
What
does my company need to do to take part in Work-Life Balance Day?
Just identify some initiative that your company will do to promote work-life
balance on 23 October 2009 and let us know by signing up here. Your company
logo and name will be added to the growing list of participating companies
currently featured on our website.
If I am an employee, and I would like my company to sign up, what
do you suggest I do?
Work-Life Balance Day is a corporate initiative, so we need the commitment
of your company, rather than individual employees. However, if you need
assistance in getting approval, we would be happy to come and talk to
your company about the benefits of work-life balance, the aim of this
campaign and share examples of what other companies are doing to participate.
For more information, please contact Ada Wong at ada@communitybusiness.org
or 2152 1889.
What kind of things can my company do on Work-Life Balance Day?
It could be as straightforward as encouraging all employees to leave on
time, or providing healthy snacks in the pantry. Or it could be a more
elaborate programme involving your suppliers and clients to make them
aware of your commitment to being a socially responsible employer. You
may also choose this day to launch a new work-life balance policy or raise
awareness of an existing one – for some ideas please see our Work-Life
Balance Case Studies or Work-Life Balance Guide publication.
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