“That’s just the way it is. Some things will never change…Ah, but don’t you believe them!” -Bruce Hornsby
NYC Theater is back after its pandemic hiatus. As relieved as the actors are to be back on stage, many have been quite vocal about how they invested their time during the break. When their city abruptly shut down, they were given an unexpected opportunity to be with their families… and heal from physical injuries sustained while on the job.
It also gave them time to re-evaluate why the theater culture expects its people to not question brutal working conditions, where they get injured in the first place.
When theaters reopened, these professionals articulated the need for urgent changes within their industry.
Most employees returned to less extreme work environments, but the actors’ concerns resonated. Everyone was arriving at the same conclusion: our work-life culture in the U.S. is unsustainable.
“That’s in the arts…but what about in the tech space?”
Work-life balance is a BIG deciding factor for top talent in choosing roles and arguably is a challenge across all industries.
The Slippery Slope
Work-life balance has been toppled by uncapped working hours, insufficient rest, and inadequate time for personal pursuits- both relaxing hobbies and non-work responsibilities. This prolonged stress weakens immunity and causes burnout. Workers are personally short-fused and professionally less productive.
Technology isn’t helping. We’re accessible 24/7, thanks to our gadgets. We can read a work text, or scroll through social media, any time. Many of us are walking that fine line of addiction- FOMO keeps us checking our devices and refreshing feeds one. more. time.
It was an easy hop, skip, and a jump to a new reality where bosses and clients expected workers to be available 24/7. And we’re conditioned to respond because we’re already there. Our lines separating professional and personal worlds blurred.
The Flip Side
On the flip side, we’re all a lot more interesting and fun to hang around when we strike a healthy work-life balance. Employees are more invested in their work. Productivity goes up.
The Great Resignation may have felt like a wake-up call to some. But most of us did a little soul searching during the shelter-in-place and recognized that our status quo needed to change if we wanted to have a better outcome. If their work culture is stagnant, workers move on to greener pastures.
This isn’t inevitable. But if a company refuses to address reasonable concerns, then they should hardly be surprised when they struggle to retain workers. When a company fosters a healthy work/life balance for its employees, the workers- and the business- benefit.
A company can take common sense steps to improve the work-life balance of their employees.
1. Prioritize communication
If a worker feels insecure about raising a concern, it’s a significant – and unnecessary – stressor.
It’s easily remedied. Create an open, safe space to bring up any topic. Not only do your workers need a voice in the decisions that directly affect them, but their perspectives also create a stronger business.
If you’re the CEO, have an open-door policy- and leave your door open! Keep your eyes open for informal places to touch base with your employees.
Ask what others think, and give them the chance to speak up and be heard.
When someone offers constructive insights, implement their feedback! Bring it up during the next meeting; call attention to the ways that the company is getting better because of the input of the team members.
Talk about what you’re accomplishing together. Regular conversations about growth in diversity, inclusion, and equity go a long way to build trust with your employees.
Celebrate the strengths and talents of your team members. Articulate how their contributions are making a difference. Give credit where credit is due.
Add surveys into the communication mix. They offer an anonymous way to take a pulse on morale.
In short, if you’re wondering how to best support your workers…ask them!
2. Lead by example
As CEO, you set the pace for the work-life balance reflected in your employees. If you never stop, your employees are going to have a hard time believing that it’s okay for them to hold a work-life boundary.
Implement a schedule, and develop the discipline to stick to it! If you’re putting your son to bed, don’t take a business call. If you’re working on a business project, don’t schedule a dentist appointment.
Stick to your boundaries! There’s no reason to jump at everything the second it happens. Assure your clients (and team members) that they can message you at any time, about anything. But you decide when you respond.
Don’t neglect self-care. For the sake of your family and your company, it’s your responsibility to take care of yourself. Nobody else is going to do this for you. And your employees need to know that they’re empowered to take care of themselves, too.
Unplug when you’re on vacation and be present and available when you’re at work.
3. Create an inclusive culture
Your culture plays a crucial part in the health and growth of your company. A culture of inclusivity attracts the right people and motivates them to stick around.
Create a culture that protects a safe space for everyone to be accepted, included, valued, and able to equally contribute. It starts with common sense communication: seek first to understand, and then to be understood.
Education is an important element of a healthy culture. Teach healthy problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Offer workshops on the topics relevant to maintaining boundaries, such as time and stress management.
Encourage flexibility in your workforce. Communicate trust by not micromanaging and offering remote work options.
Be clear on expectations for your employees in their roles.
Write clear job descriptions. Do your workers know who does what, and how their position fits into accomplishing the mission of the company? Confusion contributes to stress and insufficient job performance.
Provide detailed Standard Operating Procedures. Do your employees know how to do their jobs? SOPs are the step-by-step instructions of how to accomplish a task or process. Without adequate training, efficiency suffers. Things take longer than necessary because workers are forced to figure things out as they go along.
4. Regularly review your benefits and compensation packages
Protect your employee’s work-life balance by giving unlimited paid time off and parental benefits. Empower your employees to do what they need to do when a personal emergency comes up, so that they’re able to be fully focused and productive when they’re at work.
Invest in employee 401K retirement plans. This communicates that you’re invested (literally) in their future.
Offer ongoing career training- professional development opportunities. This is critical to the future of your company, and you’re demonstrating that their personal career trajectory is important.
For generations, we’ve eroded the line between personal and professional because we believed that The Show Must Go On. But the show is much, much more than merely our professional pursuits. It’s our total package. We’re the show- and All the World’s our Stage!
We’re learning how to work smart and play hard. Pursue wildly ambitious professional goals. And take a break. Companies that support the work-life balance of their employees will flourish.
