are your employees overworked?

Our research reveals that 1 in 2 women and 3 in 5 men work more than 40 hours per week. Cell-phones, emails and video conferences have made it increasingly difficult to leave work at the office. The result is that employees feel physically fatigued and mentally exhausted increasing the chances of disengagement.

40% of Indian employees work more than 45 hours a week!

In a multi-touch environment, the danger lies in unconsciously moving from flexible working practices to an “always on” culture. People fall into the habit of grazing through work outside office hours – and this can raise stress levels.

 How millennials perceive their work schedules

Increasing emphasis on a healthier work-life balance with less stress and more time for oneself is evident from what the millennials said about their work schedules. Our research reveals that an average millennial works 38 hours a week and 3 in 5 millennials said that given a choice, they would love to prefer to stick to their current work schedule.

Our research also revealed that 50 percent Indian employees would prefer a standard hours work week, (especially production workers), while 37 percent preferred variable hours every workday.

The growing importance of work-life balance is clearly evident. The question is, what should organisations do to address this concern?

Towards a more meaningful work-life balance

What we really need to change in work-life balance is to have more meaningful work - and more people having more social support. Organisations can encourage such balance by:

• Maintaining structural consistency
• Offering community engagement opportunities
• Creating designated ‘quiet spaces’
• Allowing schedule flexibility
• Engaging in team-building exercises
• Encouraging vacations and even short breaks through the workday
• Providing exercise access
• Allowing unpaid time off for life events

Striking the perfect balance between career and family has always been a challenge. While it is the primary responsibility of employees to find this balance for themselves, organisations need to give a helping hand, too.

Encouraging employees to be self-aware about their own personalities and tendencies is something organisations must practice, especially considering the increasing levels of stress at workplace.

Organisational policies, communication and culture should to emphasise the importance of continually assessing one’s goals to determine what brings satisfaction, inner peace, and balance.

Building a sustainable high performance culture

Studies indicate that employees with greater control and ownership over their lives have better relationships with employers, are more motivated. This increases organisational productivity and reduces conflicts at the workplace. Further, organisations that promote a healthy work-life balance gain a positive reputation and brand image – this helps in attracting the best talent.

Download our exhaustive guide on how you can become an employer of choice.