How a Human Resource Management Course Can Promote a Work-Life Balance

The modern workplace is often rushed and overwhelming, leaving little time for employees to have quality personal lives. As a result, employees become overworked and stressed, leading to low levels of productivity and high employee turnover.

This makes the quest for work-life balance a paramount concern for employees and employers.

MANCOSA offers a Human Resource Management Course that equips employees with the skills to run effective work-life balance initiatives.

This article will discuss work-life balance and why it’s crucial in all companies. We’ll also look at how human resource managers can help your company create a culture of work-life balance and increase employee retention.

What is work-life balance, and why is it important?

Work-life balance is the balance an individual strives to achieve between their work and personal lives. In other words, it’s the process of creating a routine that doesn’t just focus on work but also familial and personal responsibilities.

Work-life balance is vital for your employees’ well-being since it contributes to better physical and mental health, reduces absenteeism, enhances productivity and creativity, and helps prevent burnout.

In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), long working hours contribute to approximately 745,000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease globally each year.

Furthermore, previous studies have found that South Africans work extremely hard and, as a result, have a very low score on the World Happiness Index. However, in recent years, work-life balance in South Africa is gaining more recognition as an essential aspect of employee welfare.

Like many other countries, SA is experiencing a shift in work culture where employers increasingly acknowledge the importance of helping employees manage their professional and personal commitments. Some of the main reasons why work-life balance is crucial and shouldn’t be overlooked in your company includes:

• Better health and well-being: Individuals prioritising a good work-life balance tend to experience lower stress levels, and improved mental health and overall well-being.
• Reduced absenteeism: Employees with a balanced work-life schedule are less likely to take unnecessary sick leave.
• Higher levels of productivity and creativity: Sufficient rest and recreation lead to increased focus and creativity at work. This boosts overall productivity.
• Reduced burnout: A healthy work-life balance helps reduce chances of burnout (a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion). This makes employees more satisfied with their jobs and increases employee retention.

Benefits of having a good work-life balance

There are many benefits to having an outstanding work-life balance.

These include, but aren’t limited to:

• Improved mental health of employees: An excellent work-life balance can help employees experience reduced stress and anxiety. If they have enough time for personal activities and to rest, this will promote emotional well-being.
• Greater productivity: Employees with a balanced life tend to be better rested and, as a result, are usually more productive at work. Since they avoid overworking, this leads to high energy levels and quality output.
• Strong interpersonal relationships: An excellent work-life balance allows employees to invest time and energy into building personal relationships with their friends and families. These healthy personal relationships then contribute to a support system that positively affects the individual’s well-being.
• Better collaboration amongst team members: When individuals have an excellent work-life balance, they bring a refreshed and positive mindset to the workplace. This means well-rested and content people are far more likely to work well with their colleagues.
• Enhanced job satisfaction: Individuals who feel their work-life balance is respected are generally more satisfied. This results in higher staff retention, reducing the turnover rate at your company.
• Better time management: Individuals with good work-life balance often develop excellent time management skills and can prioritise tasks and set boundaries when necessary. This means they spend their time more efficiently and gain better results for the company.
• Increase in innovation: A balanced lifestyle allows employees to engage in diverse activities outside of work, promoting creativity and innovation. Their exposure to new experiences leads to fresh perspectives and ideas, leading to a culture of innovation for your company.

The ways HR professionals can create a culture of work-life balance

Human resource management is essential in promoting work-life balance in a company. Here are some ways they can create a culture of work-life balance.

• HR professionals can implement flexible and remote work to accommodate employees’ diverse needs.
• They can establish clear performance metrics, encouraging a culture that values productivity over the hours worked.
• They can implement time-tracking systems to ensure employees receive fair compensation for their work. This includes regularly adjusting these systems to reflect the value of their employees.
• HR professionals can also streamline and simplify leave policies that make it easier for employees to request time off.
• They can develop support wellness programmes that cater to the South African culture, which finds sports and outdoor activities necessary.
• HR workers can also provide confidential counselling services through Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) to support workers experiencing personal difficulties.
• They can respect and acknowledge cultural holidays and events, allowing employees to participate in South African holidays with their loved ones.

Examples of work-life balance initiatives in an organisation

Some examples of programmes companies can incorporate to promote work-life balance include, but aren’t limited to:

• Flexible and remote work programmes where employees can set their working hours within a specific time limit or where they’re allowed to work from home.
• Wellness benefits where companies can provide comprehensive health insurance and subsidise gym memberships to promote physical and mental health.
• Parental allowances and support programmes that provide extended paid leave for new parents, supporting them in their transition into parenthood. Also, offering on-site childcare facilities to support employees who have kids.
• Training and development opportunities allow employees to enhance their skills and career advancement. Have a look at MANCOSA’s Corporate Training Solutions.

How a Human Resource Management course can drive work-life balance

Regarding training solutions, enrolling your employees in a human resource management course will equip them with the essential skills, tools, and knowledge to run effective work-life balance initiatives to help your company become more competitive and successful.

These courses provide insights into best practices, legal considerations, and practical policy development related to work-life balance.

HR professionals learn crucial communication, change management, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills, enabling them to implement and promote initiatives that resonate with employees successfully.

Register for a Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management with MANCOSA

Now that you understand how vital work-life balance is within your organisation, you likely want to equip your teams with quality human resource managers with higher certificate studies. By enrolling your employees in an online Human Resource Management Course, you’ll equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to promote a culture of work-life balance.