Tip #1047: Ten Work/Life Balance Programs

Since work/life balance has such a direct impact on employee performance, a wise organization offers a variety of programs that contribute to work/life balance.

Here are ten possible programs

  1. Compressed Work Weeks enable employees to work their total number of agreed hours over a shorter period, such as working longer hours for four days in a week instead of five, consequently gaining a free day.

Compressed workweeks have positive impact on turnover, absenteeism, recruitment, morale and productivity.

  1. Dependent Care Assistance is a program in which the employer reimburses employees for dependent careexpenses, makes payments to third parties for care of employees’ dependents, or provides a dependent care facility for employees.

This can include childcare, elder care, and dependent care flexible spending accounts.

  1. Employee Assistance Programs provide employee access to practical advice and resources for help with life’s everyday challenges, including:
  • childcare,
  • eldercare,
  • legal issues and
  • counseling needs.
  1. Flexible Work Hours allow full-time employees to choose starting and ending times within guidelines specified by the organization.

A flexible schedule gives employees more options and is especially appropriate in jobs where specific work hours really do not matter.

  1. Health and Wellness Programs provide employees with health and wellness-related activities such as:
  • organization-sponsored exercise;
  • weight-loss competitions;
  • educational seminars;
  • tobacco-cessation programs; and
  • health screenings that are designed to help employees eat better, lose weight and improve their overall physical health.
  1. Job Sharing allows two or more than two employees to work part-time to share a single full- time job.

Job sharing helps employees manage their time more flexibly, fulfill their commitments, and learn from others while working with them.

  1. Paid Time Off provides employees with time off from work with pay for a variety of reasons:
  • to care for another family member;
  • give birth and take care of a new baby;
  • adopt and take care of a child;
  • recover from an illness;
  • funeral or bereavement;
  • disability;
  • jury duty;
  • military duty;
  • vacation;
  • holidays;
  • sick days;
  • volunteer day; and
  • personal time.
  1. Self-Scheduling allows employees to schedule their hours how they want.

The organization daily checks the number of staff and skills required and lets the employees decide which hours they would like to work.

Employees are thus able to schedule their time conveniently between work and nonwork activities.

  1. Telecommuting allows employees to work all or part of the week from home.

Along with increased job satisfaction, teleworkers also demonstrate less turnover and lower level of work/life conflict.

  1. Other programs:
  • Pet-friendly benefits or pet insurance
  • Employee recognition and reward programs
  • Concierge services or errand running services

Which work/life balance programs would you like to see your organization offer?

May your learning be sweet,

Deborah

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