Balancing Work and Home

Work life conflict occurs when people have trouble balancing their home commitments with their work responsibilities. This may result in absenteeism, more unproductive time at work and staff turnover. The result is costly to organizations as well as individuals.

Benefits of a family-supportive workplace for employer and employee
How employers can create a family-supportive workplace
What are the demands on your time?
Tips to make balancing work and home easier

Benefits of a family-supportive workplace for employer and employee

  • Less absenteeism
  • Lower health benefit costs
  • Reduced stress-related sick leave
  • Decreased turnover and training costs
  • Increased productivity
  • Increased ability to recruit and train the best people
  • Higher morale
  • Feeling more in control of one's life
  • Having more energy
  • A happier home life
  • More available time to relax
  • Greater job satisfaction

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How employers can create a family-supportive workplace

  • Initiate flexible work arrangements
  • Provide training to supervisors to sensitize them to the importance of supporting employees
  • Encourage the development of healthy workplace policies
  • Arrange for employees to have access to a private phone for family emergencies
  • Start a parenting support group at lunch time
  • Set up a mini library of resources on balancing work and home
  • Suggest to employees that the workplace cafeteria is available to purchase a take-home evening meal
  • Organize an Information Fair about community services and recreation activities available for families
  • Plan special events such as "Kids at Work Day"
  • Consider reserving parking spaces near entrances for pregnant women
  • Promote the advantages of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

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What are the demands on your time?

Work Demands:

Home Demands:

  • Long hours of work
  • Heavy workload
  • Competitive climate
  • Tight deadlines
  • Training needs
  • Equipment requirements
  • Business travel
  • Company loyalty
  • Child care
  • Care of older relatives
  • Personal care
  • Home maintenance
  • Family and social relationships
  • Leisure time
  • Community commitments
  • Pet care

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Tips to make balancing work and home easier

Take care of yourself:

Seek support from others:

  • Find out about resources in your community and at work
  • Share concerns and ideas with others

Consider workplace measures:

  • Support co-workers
  • Take time for breaks and lunches
  • Find out if you can use "special leave" for emergency child and elder care
  • Leave your work at the office
  • Access the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in your workplace

Improve communication at home:

  • Try a message board
  • Plan family meetings
  • Spend time with family and friends
  • Have some family meals together

Keep your expectations realistic:

  • Acknowledge your successes each day
  • Avoid guilt - no one can do it all!

Manage your day:

  • Make "to-do" lists and cross off completed tasks
  • Establish priorities
  • Share routine tasks with other family members
  • Learn to say "no"
  • Explore flexible working arrangements such as job sharing or compressed work week

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