Work-life balance: What exactly does it mean that 50% of your time is spent working and the other 50% is spent playing? Would that be a good work-life balance?
I think we have to realize that for everyone this balance is different. Parents or carers may find it difficult to find their place in the work environment. People who have heavy responsibilities outside of their job sometimes feel like they don’t fit in or feel like they don’t feel like part of the team.
The common myth that part-time workers don’t work as hard as full-time employees is partly to blame for the difficulties people may encounter in returning to the workplace. Is this true? This will depend on how well flexible working is managed within the company. Managed well, a team can thrive; poorly managed work relationships can be destroyed and instead of achieving the goal, these problems can hinder productivity and profit.
Communication is the most important aspect of managing flexibility in the workplace. You should ensure that part-time staff are included in any inquiries about changes to your work environment. It can be intimidating if changes are implemented and the rollover has not been complete. This can make staff feel undervalued and left out.
This challenging climate means it’s more important than ever to have a great staff, whether that staff works 35 hours or 21 hours a week; what is important is the work they do during their office hours.
Part-time staff tend to be more aware of the time they have available, set goals for their workday and strive to achieve them. They can’t always afford to wait until tomorrow or “do it later”; this can make them a great asset to your team.
When offering flexibility within your workplace, you need to ensure that you communicate not only with the staff member involved but also with the team you work with. Lack of understanding can breed resentment and can make life difficult not only for the employee but also for the business.
Flexibility doesn’t always have to come in the form of a part-time contract, but could also apply to allowing staff to take longer lunch breaks or work from home. There are many outstanding events in 2012 as it is a busy sporting year and also the Jubilee year.
This may mean your employees want to take vacations to watch specific games or sporting events or they may have parental duties with school closing. This can make running the business difficult, and again, communication is key.
Juggling the effect on morale and ensuring the business runs smoothly can be tricky, but efficient and well-managed communication can lead to a better work environment for both employer and employee.
It pays to invest time in your HR strategy, this will not only improve working relationships but could also increase your profits and productivity.
