Support employee work-life balance
Identify work-life balance problems
Employers often find it challenging to gauge whether their employees are struggling to balance work and personal life. Recognising the signs of poor work-life balance early can help you take the right steps to support your staff and improve overall wellbeing and productivity.
Common signs of poor employee work-life balance
If your staff are exhibiting several of the following symptoms, it may indicate an unhealthy work-life balance:
- missed deadlines
- unachieved targets or goals
- untidy or disorganised workspaces
- frequency of mistakes increasing
- decline in productivity and workplace engagement
- employees rarely taking holidays or adequate breaks
- signs of exhaustion with staff appearing withdrawn, fatigued, or stressed
- frequent overtime or working beyond contracted hours
- increased absenteeism due to stress, sickness, or emergencies related to dependants
- higher incidence of workplace conflict or tension among staff
- elevated employee turnover rates
Additional behavioural and health indicators
Beyond work output, poor work-life balance can manifest as:
- physical symptoms such as headaches, trouble sleeping, and general fatigue
- emotional signs like irritability, impatience, or mood swings
- employees feel guilty about taking breaks or time off
- loss of interest in hobbies and personal activities outside work
Timely recognition matters
Ignoring these warning signs can lead to long-term consequences, including burnout, reduced engagement, deteriorating mental and physical health, and ultimately higher costs for your business in turnover and lost productivity. Creating and promoting a healthy work-life balance is crucial to prevent these issues from escalating. If you observe several of these indicators within your workforce, consider taking proactive steps to foster better work-life balance by implementing flexible working policies, encouraging rest breaks
If you recognise a number of these symptoms affecting your staff and your business, you may need to take action to create a healthy work-life balance in your workplace.