How To Help Your Employees With Work-Life Balance

Contributed to EO by Chantel Cohen

The lines between personal and professional lives are blurring, largely due to the rise of digital tools and the shift to remote and hybrid work. Research shows that 67% of employees working remotely feel pressured to be available at all hours, and 65% report working longer hours than before, indicating a struggle to maintain boundaries between work and personal life. 

For entrepreneurs and leaders who want to build successful, productive teams, fostering a better work-life balance is a proactive approach to reducing stress, improving employee engagement, and creating a positive work environment.

Use the following strategies to help your employees achieve this balance so you can promote personal well-being and professional productivity.

The Importance of Work-Life Balance for Entrepreneurs

For many employees, especially those in fast-paced sectors, work stress extends beyond office hours, affecting their personal lives and contributing to burnout. According to the American Psychological Association, 77% of workers report experiencing work-related stress, and a further 57% report negative impacts as a result. These impacts include lower productivity, a desire to quit, and emotional exhaustion.

An inadequate work-life balance is a major cause of workplace stress. This often leads to mental health issues like anxiety or depression, decreased motivation, and lower overall engagement. As successful entrepreneurs know, addressing these issues is key to long-term organizational success.

A supportive work-life balance helps reduce employee stress and improve overall team morale. Building a workplace culture that values personal and professional well-being can increase job satisfaction and develop loyalty, which is beneficial in customer service, project-based work, and other high-stakes roles.

7 Practical Ways To Help Employees With Work-Life Balance

Supporting work-life balance is about setting clear boundaries and offering flexibility to keep employees engaged and reduce burnout. Practical strategies like limiting after-hours communication and encouraging time off can affect your employees’ happiness. 

1. Set Clear Expectations on Availability

Establish guidelines around communication and availability. For example, if team members are only expected to be reachable during regular business hours, clarify this in your communications. Transparent expectations can help employees set boundaries with clients and coworkers, helping them manage their time more effectively.

2. Recognize and Respect Personal Time

Leaders help set the tone of respect for personal time. As a company leader, avoid contacting employees about non-urgent matters after hours, and respect their personal lives by not assigning last-minute tasks at the end of the day. When employees see that their leaders value their personal time, they feel more appreciated and are more likely to commit their time and energy to the company during work hours.

3. Provide Opportunities for Professional Growth Without Overcommitment

Supporting employees’ personal and professional development is essential, but avoid overloading them with extra responsibilities. Offer opportunities for growth—such as training programs or new projects—within their capacity. Don’t assign these opportunities as extra work; instead, make room in their schedules for these activities to avoid adding undue stress. 

Also, if an employee declines a promotion or non-mandatory professional development program, this may not mean they don’t see a future in the company. It may just indicate that they are not ready for this type of growth opportunity at this time. When you keep communicating and offering your employees these chances for professional momentum, they feel valued and appreciated. 

4. Encourage Use of Paid Time Off (PTO)

Encourage employees to take their full allotment of vacation time or PTO. Many employees hesitate to take time off, fearing a backlog of work or disapproval; only 35% of employees in the United States report a workplace culture where breaks are encouraged. 

However, employees need to understand that their PTO, salary, and benefits are part of their entire compensation package. They also need to realize that taking an extended break can benefit their physical and mental health. 

When employees take breaks, they return to work more focused and motivated. Make it clear that taking time off is acceptable and encouraged for their well-being.

5. Foster Open Communication

Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their workload, stress levels, or personal challenges can improve workplace morale. Regular one-on-one check-ins can provide insight into your employees’ well-being and allow you to address any issues that might affect their work-life balance. 

You can also set up an anonymous suggestion box or use digital platforms where employees can freely share their concerns or ideas without fear of repercussions. Open communication builds trust and allows employees to express their needs and challenges.

6. Celebrate Achievements and Encourage Team Bonding

Recognizing personal and professional milestones is a meaningful way to build a strong sense of community and show support. A simple but thoughtful gesture, such as celebrating work anniversaries with a team lunch or sending a personalized card for a birthday, can make employees feel valued. 

Aside from individual celebrations, organizing quarterly team-building events, like volunteering together or participating in a casual sports day, encourages camaraderie and strengthens connections. 

Regular recognition of achievements—whether it’s highlighting a project’s success during a team meeting or setting up an ‘employee of the month’ board—can go a long way in boosting morale and reinforcing a positive work culture.

7. Lead by Example

Entrepreneurs and business leaders set the example for work-life balance through their actions and the workplace culture they promote. It starts with visibly prioritizing time off and avoiding work-related communications outside of established hours. For instance, leaders can implement a “no emails after 6 PM” policy to reinforce boundaries.

Research supports the idea that employees are more engaged and productive when they have leaders who support a balanced lifestyle. Around 70% of what makes employees feel either connected, productive, and motivated—or disconnected and less engaged—is directly influenced by the actions and behaviors of their manager or leader.

Support a Balanced, Productive Workforce

In the modern workplace, achieving a healthy work-life balance is essential for employees and entrepreneurs. Adopting flexible schedules, supporting mental health, and promoting open communication creates a positive work environment that values employees’ personal lives as much as their professional contributions. 

Building a balanced work environment helps employees feel valued and supported, which leads to higher productivity, better customer service, and long-term employee retention. When entrepreneurs build a workplace where employees’ personal and professional needs are respected, they help create a thriving, sustainable work culture that drives personal and business growth.