What does a good work-life balance actually look like?

For the past year now we have heard the media, businesses, friends and family all talk about having a great work-life balance but what does that actually mean? Does it look different for everyone? And how can we stop punishing those who want more out of life than just 9 hours at their computer every day?

What does it mean? 

I for one am extremely happy that the world is finally having some great conversions over work-life balance and whilst I feel as though most brands still have a long way to go, I’ve seen incredible results in previous job roles I’ve had.

So we talk about work-life balance often but what does it refer to? Well, from my point of view a good work-life balance is simply about flexibility. It is about me selecting my working hours and working how many hours I feel fit in order to achieve my work for the day. On top of that, not feeling guilty once clocking off for the day.

These working hours will drastically vary, one day I may work in a 3-hour chunk and another day it could be 5, or the next it could be 2 hours because I need to run an errand but then I return to my work later that day.

I’m aware this routine isn’t for everyone but that is okay because we are all different people. Something I read earlier today was from a BBC article on this topic and they quoted ‘The concept is often presented as something to achieve, or a goal to reach. And once you’ve reached it, congratulations: you’ve made it; you’re a successful human being of the 21st Century’.

This for me sums up where we’ve gone wrong over the past 12 months. No longer is work-life balance flexibility, it's another thing for us to achieve on our to-do list. Which is wrong!

One type doesn’t fit all

I believe one of the biggest lessons any business can learn, is that EVERY employee is different. The old fashion way of hiring feels much like, bringing someone new onto the team and expecting them to mold to every inch of your business. dress sense, working hours, personality, and the list can go on and on.

And yet, some brands out there (not all may I add) still expect this. But what if most of your team is full of extroverts and you then hire an introvert? Is that individual expected to change and become more out-going, because perhaps it may come across like they are unsure on their new responsibilities? Their work may be great but it is not treated the same way as others because they happen to be a little quieter.

Situations like this, I know have happened first hand to myself and fellow friends. And it’s beyond disappointing to see.

What would happen if we respected and understood our employee's different personalities. See, different people have different working styles and it is important for businesses to understand and respect this.

Furthermore, not everyone is on the same timed routine. One employee may wish to work most mornings and another enjoys more afternoon work. But should any one of them be punished for this, definitely not? Depending on your business ethics, it has to be about understanding and accepting that every single person on this planet is different and we should respect that it will impact their working lifestyle.

Can you improve your work-life balance? 

Unless you are a freelancer or working for a business that already offers you the flexibility you wish to have. Moving forward it is about smaller corporate businesses getting on board and truly understanding what a work-life balance looks like.

For me, it’s less of a focus on the big brands such as Spotify because they are already doing it; With Spotify announcing this year that even after COVID all staff can carry on working from home but more work needs to be done in the smaller everyday companies, that us everyday people are working in.

So speak up, ask your manager about it, read more online, and find out what you are entitled to. Change is happening and work is becoming no longer the center stage task in our lives but we in the United Kingdom still have a long way to go.

And…I couldn’t finish this piece without directing you to our contact page. Do you or know someone who needs help with Digital Marketing management? Let us be that help. Get in contact HERE.

Jessica Grace Creative