Work-life balance has become a key goal for employees everywhere. Gone are the days when simply managing assigned tasks felt like a big accomplishment. Even with modern technology and AI to help with tasks, many employees still struggle to handle the increasing difficulty and volume of work.

A Harvard Business School survey found that 94% of professionals work more than 50 hours weekly. This “always-on” work culture can lead to unexpected consequences, including burnout.

Family time and social life are two major reasons why 28% of Filipinos seek flexible work hours, according to Sunstar. Additionally, the Philippines ranks 59th out of 60 countries in Remote’s Global Life-Work Balance Index 2024.

This raises an important question: Why is work-life balance crucial for employee productivity and well-being? Let’s explore the key points that can make a real difference.

What Does Productivity in the Workplace Mean?

Whether you’re a leader or a business owner, productivity is important for reaching long-term goals and professional development. But it might mean something different to employees. For them, productivity could either mean getting tasks done quickly or completing work in a limited timeframe while following the company’s standards.

High productivity in the workplace means resources and other means are used efficiently and effectively. These resources are mainly the employees who gather information, analyze, and prepare reports to help the company make quality decisions.

Simply put, productivity is exercising employees’ unique talents and skills that produce meaningful outcomes. To achieve this, employees must enjoy their work environment without feeling stressed or pressured by advocating work-life balance.

Why Is a Healthy Work-Life Balance Important?

Companies increase their reputation once employees show their best work culture and produce high-quality work as an aftermath of minimized work stress and happy work-life management. No matter what program or project you assign to your employees, they feel motivated to accomplish them.

Supporting your employees’ mental health and well-being is essential. Without this guidance, expect the worst scenarios that could happen. Employees may underperform or leave the company resulting in a decrease in retention rate.

So, here are the main reasons why work-life balance is important nowadays:

Fewer health issues

Employee healthy lifestyle is the top factor affecting productivity. This includes both physical and mental health, which are critical to an employee’s performance at work.

When employees develop unhealthy habits, they can face illnesses or mental health issues. Let’s be honest—if we neglect rest, proper nutrition, and sleep, our health will suffer. These are risks to poor work-life balance in the workplace.

Encourage your employees to be mindful of their health with programs and benefits that support them. When they feel healthier, they’ll be more satisfied with their work and their accomplishments.

Increased productivity

Productivity has many benefits. Employees become more motivated to help achieve organizational and professional goals because they understand the purpose of their work, leading to better engagement.

However, productivity is sometimes misunderstood when comparing remote workers to those in hybrid or on-site roles. According to the International Workplace Group (IWG), 79% of employees in hybrid setups feel less drained, and 86% report a better work-life balance.

Greater job satisfaction

When employees enjoy their jobs, it positively impacts their future, family, and social commitments. This shows they are receiving the right support and resources at work.

Based on the study of the National Library of Medicine, job satisfaction affects overall quality of life, creating a positive emotional connection to work. However, many factors influence job satisfaction, including gender, age, education, and commuting.

That’s why companies must improve job support and welfare programs to promote the benefits of a healthy work-life balance.

Stronger Relationships

Employees spend most of their day at work, leaving little time for personal lives and loved ones. Why can’t work, family, and personal life go hand in hand?

Many of us are constantly working, and it’s concerning to ignore the need for balance. Without it, conflicts at home, heavier workloads and longer hours become common. Sadly, some companies prioritize finding the “ideal” employee while overlooking the importance of work-life balance.

Work, family, and personal life should support each other. Success primarily considers a good family bond and an esteemed personal life. Thus, it is a balance that is worth achieving.

Less Stress

Burnout and stress are major threats to employee well-being. They shouldn’t be ignored or seen as a badge of honor for completing many tasks. This isn’t productivity—it’s overworking.

Achieving work-life balance is possible through task delegation and careful project management. Employees need to manage their time without sacrificing personal activities. Thus, this reduces workplace pressure and anxiety, helping companies protect their employees’ health and wellness.

Good vibes, good jobs!

A healthy work-life balance helps employees do better at their jobs and set realistic goals. When they enjoy their work, they become more excited to follow the company’s values.

With a good work-life balance, customers are more likely to be interested in your business. Therefore, managers need to support employees and check how well they are doing based on company standards.

Promote your open roles through Bossjob’s career platform and start matching the best work-life balance jobs with the right talent. Be an employer today to highlight your company’s advocacies every day!