Since the end of the pandemic, our attitudes to work-life balance have changed for good. 

The importance of getting that balance right for an individual’s health and wellbeing at work can make all the difference to companies dealing with the fallout from the current economic challenges facing the UK right now.

10–14 October is National Work Life Week, offering both employers and employees the opportunity to focus on well-being at work and work-life balance. This year’s theme is flexible working and the aim is to showcase all of the ways flexibility can be possible, beyond home and hybrid working.

So how are we doing as a nation? Recent research rates the UK as coming 11 out of 37 for its work-life balance. The study, by Small Business Prices, ranks the Netherlands in top spot.

Exactly what makes for a good work-life balance is unique to each individual and of course will vary depending on personal circumstances and different stages of life. For some, having a clear distinction between work and home life will be important. This may mean keeping to regular hours or shifts, working outside of the home, not checking emails after hours or bringing work home, and having clear cut boundaries between professional and personal responsibilities. 

For others, that balance might be found in having autonomy and being able to set their own approach to work, which could include flexible hours, job-share opportunities, working from home or adopting hybrid work. 

Good employers are always looking for ways to improve staff satisfaction (and therefore productivity) especially during the challenges of an economic crisis when raising wages may not so easy. 

Benefits and perks such as gym membership, free breakfast or lunch, mental health ambassadors and social events can also help offset work stress and make team members feel supported and valued. 

The demand for hybrid working has increased dramatically since the pandemic. According to the Office for National Statistics, more than 8 in 10 of those workers who took up homeworking because of Covid said they planned to hybrid work after working from home guidance was lifted in February this year. 

Since then, the proportion of people hybrid working has risen from 13% in early February 2022 to 24% in May 2022. The percentage working exclusively from home has fallen from 22% to 14% in the same period, which seems to suggest that hybrid provides a good balance for both employees and employer. 

Despite concerns from some employers, data from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) revealed that three quarters (78%) of home and hybrid workers reported improved work-life balance. Half reported it was quicker to complete work (52%) and that they had fewer distractions (53%). Almost half also reported improved well-being (47%).

A separate ONS survey delved into which industries reported using or intending to include homeworking as a permanent business model. 

The Business Insights and Conditions Survey revealed that as of April this year, more than half (54%) of information and communication businesses said they were using, or intended to use, increased homeworking as part of a permanent business model. This was only the case for 3% of businesses in the accommodation and food services industry, and 5% of businesses in the construction industry, which are less adaptable to homeworking.

Forward-thinking employers can also offer a ‘work from anywhere’ policy, flexi hours, even a four-day week, but to make remote, hybrid or flexible working a success requires transparent communication across the board. Workers will want to manage their time effectively and managers will need to stay updated.

Keeping precise records of work time and places without adding energy-sapping admin on to the working day is key. With this in mind, we’ve just launched our new Timesheets service to take all the hassle out of reporting.

Especially designed for hybrid work, colleagues can see who’s on duty, taking a break, at the office, or elsewhere. It allows everyone to effortlessly keep accurate time and attendance records. With custom settings for each employee, it’s a cinch to track time, check in and out, review and approve.

Payroll is simplified with WorkSmarter’s automated Timesheets as they can be exported to your payroll software. If you’re looking for smarter ways to bring your teams together and make life easier for everyone, it really couldn’t be easier.