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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 to the current economic
situation?
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 time to work can lead to stress, physical
illness, depression and mental illness, compromised safety and damaged
relationships between employees. For the business, productivity may be
impaired through absenteeism, poor performance, injuries, lack of motivation
or engagement, increased errors and faults. This is supported by the
findings of the
2009 Survey which shows:
Poor WLB adversely impacts employees’ productivity, health and family life
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53%
report prolonged fatigue and extreme tiredness
-
41%
say they do not have enough time with partner and family
-
31%
say work pressure creates insomnia and poor diet
-
27%
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 2009 Survey. The 2010
Survey will be launched on 19 October 2010.
Is discussion of work-life balance still relevant to the current economic
situation?
Now that we find ourselves picking up from the
economic downturn, some are arguing that talk of work-life balance is
more relevant than before.
Whilst companies are
always
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 this 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.
However, as companies join more Work-Life Balance Days and we continue to
build the momentum in participation, we have made the first step in changing
the mindset of individuals and leadership about the importance of work-life
balance.
The third
Work-Life Balance Day on Friday 22
October is primarily about raising awareness of the importance of work-life
balance as a business issue.
We believe 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. Your participation helps to build the momentum and
change the mindsets of employees and leadership on work-life balance in Hong
Kong.
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 22
October 2010
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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