The days when success was measured by the number of hours spent in the office are long gone. Modern workplaces recognise the importance of prioritising employee wellbeing to foster a positive work culture and drive sustainable performance. Managers play a pivotal role in creating a healthy environment where work-life balance is encouraged and actively supported. Here’s how:

1. Lead by example: Managers must prioritise their own wellbeing and set boundaries between work and personal life to become role models for their teams.
2. Understand individual needs: Managers should proactively engage with their employees to understand their unique commitments and challenges outside of work, fostering open communication and flexibility.
3. Implement supportive policies: Managers should advocate for practices that promote work-life balance, such as flexible work arrangements, remote options and discouraging overwork or presenteeism.
4. Encourage time off: Managers should encourage employees to utilise their holiday allowance and prioritise taking time off to recharge and avoid burnout.
5. Flexible scheduling: Managers can encourage employees to create personalised schedules that align with their peak productivity hours or to accommodate personal commitments, outside of core requirements.
6. Set communication boundaries: Managers should avoid sending late-night emails and discourage non-urgent messaging outside of regular working hours.

Supporting work-life balance isn’t a trend; it’s a smart business strategy that leads to a more loyal, engaged and more productive workforce. Find out more about how we can support wellbeing in your workplace here.