By: Mark Edgar, Chief People Officer – Wajax

There has been a seismic shift in the workplace. Career advancement and the financial compensation it brings are losing ground as motivators. A new list of top employee priorities is evolving, and work-life balance is at the top of it.

According to a recent study, 93 percent of workers now rank work-life balance as highly as pay for their top priorities. When those workers were asked what would shape their next career move, 57 percent said work-life balance would be a top consideration, with only 55 percent saying higher pay would be.

However, achieving work-life balance is easier said than done, especially since employer expectations can add pressure to tip the scale toward work. Even those who resist may find themselves taking home the stress caused by employer-employee tension with them. With the work landscape still in transition when it comes to work-life balance, finding a supportive workplace environment can be challenging.

The growing popularity of remote workplace models also poses challenges in this area. While most see remote and hybrid opportunities as a way to improve work-life balance — 71 percent of remote workers report the model helps their ability to have a healthy work-life balance — simply having a remote work setting does not guarantee a better balance. Remote work removes the barriers between work and home life, putting more pressure on workers to maintain a separation that supports balance.

Whatever the setting, establishing a work-life balance takes effort. The following are some steps workers can take to set boundaries that support their desired work-life balance.

Be Honest About Your Expectations

The first step toward establishing work-life balance is defining what it means for you. After all, the word “balance” suggests a trade-off that swaps one for the other until the desired blend is achieved. To establish a better balance, employees should determine where they currently stand, what isn’t working, and where they are ready to compromise.

For example, many people in today’s workforce say they are willing to sacrifice pay for better work-life balance. If the time required to earn your salary makes it impossible to have the life you desire, you might need to reduce your earnings to find the right balance.

Once you have determined what work-life balance looks like for you, make it clear to your manager. Express the issues you are having and the outcome you are looking for, and then be open to hearing what can be done to help you achieve your goal.

Quiet quitting is a practice that has emerged in which employees cut back on their output to the point where they do just enough to keep their jobs. While some see this as a way to achieve a better work-life balance, it can result in negative consequences for employers and employees who practice it. A better approach is to sit down with a manager and devise a plan together.

Prioritize Switching Off, Especially With Remote Work

While working from home has many benefits, including increased flexibility and autonomy, remote and hybrid work models can make it challenging to “switch off” from work. Creating an appropriate level of separation is essential for work-life balance. The traditional commute helped with that separation. For remote workers, practices that keep work in its proper place are important.

One option to consider is maintaining some of the routines used in the traditional office setting while working from home. For example, wear work clothes during the workday and change into casual clothes once the workday is done. Limiting the time when you are connected to your work network, such as logging off at 5:30 PM, can also help to keep your focus in the right place.

If space allows, it can also help to create separation between your home and work environment. If you don’t have the space to do that, you can at least pack up your laptop or other work equipment to get it out of sight and out of mind.

Consider Work-Life Integration

In some cases, work-life balance doesn’t work. Certain workers find the necessary trade-offs too difficult to navigate, while others find that keeping a strict separation doesn’t benefit either their work or their personal lives.

For example, one of the biggest downsides to full-time remote work is a lack of access to mentorship. Additionally, the reduction in in-person work requires employees to have much more deliberate planning around mentoring and development conversations due to the lack of access to ad hoc, informal interactions with their colleagues and mentors.

In cases like that, work-life integration may be a better option. Many people consider work-life integration as a more realistic and holistic approach, recognizing that work and home activities may need to blend together based on personal circumstances and the nature of the work. Rather than seeing work and home life as competing factors, work-life integration sees them as elements that can coexist and complement each other.

Those who choose this path must be realistic with themselves and their employer about what work-life integration means for them and, if relevant, their family. Setting clear expectations can help avoid misunderstandings. Having a flexible attitude toward the work schedule will also help with this approach, building trust with the employer that helps in the longer term.

The boundaries needed to support work-life balance can vary based on the worker’s responsibilities and goals. By identifying the proper boundaries, communicating them effectively, and committing to them, workers can reshape their environment to be more satisfying, engaging, and conducive to making a strong contribution to their employer’s goals.

— Mark Edgar is the Chief People Officer at Wajax. He plays a vital role in guiding the company’s achievements through its workforce. He is committed to fostering a work environment where staff are valued as members and essential assets to Wajax’s lasting impact. By prioritizing employee empowerment, development, and welfare, Mark helps ensure that Wajax stays successful as a player in Canada’s landscape, laying a solid groundwork for its upcoming expansion.

Published by: Josh Tatunay