Work-Life Balance: Supporting Employee Well-Being With Benefits and Strategies

Employee Wellness Month is celebrated in summer each year, yet employee wellness is top-of-mind in the benefits industry all year. From helping management connect with their workers to aiding companies in developing benefits plans that suit the distinct needs of their workforce, our team at Winston is committed to closing the gap between employee benefits and workplace wellness.

This month, we’re detailing our top benefits recommendations and strategies employers should consider to support employee well-being and work-life balance. 

Importance of Work-Life Balance

For many, work-life balance is not just an intriguing concept but a growing necessity. According to an article by runn, people who work more than 55 hours per week are 1.66 times more likely to get depression and 1.74 times more likely to suffer from anxiety.

Finding harmony between professional and personal life can be challenging, especially with the new work structures varying among employees and industries, with employers offering a range of remote work, hybrid, and in-office positions. For some, remote work is preferred to increase work-life balance, while others report that it blurs the lines between their home life and work and prefer hybrid or in-office solutions.

The diverse workforce and the mounting stress that employees carry from their personal lives have compounded the challenges for employers in their quest to foster work-life balance and employee well-being within their teams.

Benefits and Policies to Support Wellness

Optimizing employee wellness is an imperative first step in helping employees achieve work-life balance. While offering remote work options to those who feel they would benefit from it is a great start, there are other options employers should consider to ensure that they are providing a more well-rounded approach to wellness for their employees. Here are some ideas:

• Increased Paid Time Off (PTO): Additional PTO can help employees enjoy their time outside of work and also increase engagement among your team.
• Flexible Working Hours: Employees can choose when and where to work to spend more time with family and friends during the workweek.
• Wellness Programs and Benefits: Benefits and programs that support wellness, such as fitness classes, mental health resources, and stress management workshops, are all options for improving well-being.

Improvement Among Employees

When employees are well, and their organizations work to cultivate wellness and work-life balance, the results are indisputable. Well employees are happier at work, and according to Oxford University, happy employees are 13% more productive. Yet, when implementing wellness programs in the workplace, employers can expect to see a multitude of benefits, including but not limited to:

• Improved Employee Mental Health
• Stronger Workplace Relationships
• Streamlined Work Ethics
• Higher Job Satisfaction

The move to incorporate more wellness benefits into your offerings is a short-term process yielding long-term solutions, and employers in many industries are realizing the effects of prioritizing wellness and work-life balance in their workforce.

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