Work-Life Balance

By Susan M. Heathfield, About.com

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• work-life balance
• flexible schedules
• work schedules
• human resources definitions

Definition:

Work-life balance is a concept that supports the efforts of employees to split their
time and energy between work and the other important aspects of their lives. Work-
life balance is a daily effort to make time for family, friends, community participation,
spirituality, personal growth, self care, and other personal activities, in addition to the
demands of the workplace. Work-life balance is assisted by employers who institute
policies, procedures, actions, and expectations that enable employees to easily pursue
more balanced lives.

The pursuit of work-life balance reduces the stress employees experience. When they
spend the majority of their days on work-related activities and feel as if they are
neglecting the other important components of their lives, stress and unhappiness
result. Work-life balance enables employees to feel as if they are paying attention to
all the important aspects of their lives.

Because many employees experience a personal, professional, and monetary need to

achieve, work-life balance is challenging. Employers can assist employees to
experience work-life balance by offering such opportunities as flexible work
schedules, paid time off (PTO) policies, responsible time and communication
expectations, and company-sponsored family events and activities.

Managers are important to employees seeking work-life balance. Managers who

pursue work-life balance in their own lives model appropriate behavior and support
employees in their pursuit of work-life balance. They create a work environment in
which work-life balance is expected, enabled, and supported. They retain outstanding
employees to whom work-life balance is important.
Flexible Schedule
By Susan M. Heathfield, About.com

See More About:

• flexible schedules
• work schedules
• human resources definitions

Definition:

A flexible schedule allows an employee to work hours that differ from the normal
company start and stop time. Particularly in an environment for exempt employees,
those hours are generally 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and total a 40 hour work
week.

In a non-exempt workplace, often industrial or warehousing, a flexible schedule

depends on the amount of interdependence required in the work. In all flexible
schedules, the employer expects a full-time employee to work the required hours or
more. A flexible schedule involves either a compressed work week or flexible starting
and stopping times.

In a compressed work week, the most common flexible schedule is a four day work
week in which employees work four ten-hour days. Variations on this flexible
schedule exist. This flexible schedule allows employees to have an additional day for
any activity that afords the employee more work-life balance.

A daily flexible schedule enables employees to come to work early and go home
early or stay late and arrive late, or take extra time at lunch that is made up. In this
flexible schedule, employers may require that employees work core hours, from 10
a.m.–3 p.m., as an example. Or, the employer may allow a flexible schedule that
becomes the employee’s regular schedule, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. every day, as an example.

Even in the most flexible schedule, that allows employees to come and go at will, or
telework, employers must believe that the employee is “putting in his time” and
accomplishing his goals. In a flexible environment, trust is a significant factor.
Measurable goals and clear expectations are also significant so the employer is
comfortable with the employee’s ongoing contribution.

A flexible schedule is one of the benefits most appreciated by employees. The

advantages when a flexible schedule is allowed.

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