by Lauren Dixon
Maintaining a positive work/life balance is critical in today's workplace. Employees who are able to keep personal and workplace issues in alignment are apt to be focused and energized at work and relaxed at home.
How do employers "make it happen" for employees at work so that they can attend to personal matters when necessary?
One way is to offer employees conveniences and services to eliminate the time and effort outside of work spent on errands or personal issues. Perhaps arrange for a dry cleaning or lunch delivery service. Your employees' lives will be less stressful and more efficient.
Employers might also consider providing other services that may take a little more effort to set up but reap enormous benefits in the end. Instituting wellness programs (ie. on-site sports teams and yoga classes) is a social and healthy option.
At Dixon Schwabl, we have an on-site flu clinic so employees do not need to take time away from work or with families and friends to get their annual flu shot.
We also offer one-on-one meetings with financial advisers so employees can call on expertise that they normally would need to seek outside on their own.
Sometimes, companies only consult their management team for workplace decisions, which may result in a misplaced benefit or perk that in fact benefits no one at all. One West Coast firm brought in three meals a day for employees, assuming that their workers would enjoy and appreciate the convenience. However, this made employees feel pressured to work around the clock.
To avoid a situation like this and to decrease risks, determine which conveniences would be most valued by your employees before implementing them at random. Survey your workforce and encourage open communication to receive honest feedback.
I love your post! One thing I consider as an important thing for women entrepreneurs is to never be afraid to be authentic in who we are. We should consider the idea of having to "dress for success".
Posted by: Sharon Wilson | July 15, 2009 at 03:14 AM