Managers are tired of working – and they’re encouraging their employees to take a step back, too.
The work-life Balance has improved in recent years and most employees say it’s their manager pushing for it, according to a new study from the employment agency Robert Half Resource Management.
Just over half of professionals said their work-life balance has improved from three years ago. Nine in 10 respondents reported their manager is very or somewhat supportive of this balance, and 74 percent said their boss sets a good or even excellent example.
“Employers and employees alike are emphasizing work-life balance,” says Tim Hird, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources. “Managers can help by giving their teams more freedom over where and when they work, if possible, and providing greater autonomy. These efforts go a long way to improve job satisfaction and retention rates.”
The largest group to see a change in their work-life balance habits is millennials. People between the ages of 18 and 34 were more than twice as likely as those 55 or older to cite improved work-life balance — 67 percent versus 31 percent respectively.
Despite the younger generation working harder to achieve that balance, Hird explains that all generations need to balance their work and personal commitments.
“Many companies view work-life balance as being particularly relevant to millennials, but employees of all generations are under pressure to meet both work and personal obligations,” he says. “Businesses should promote work-life balance initiatives broadly and make sure all staff have the opportunity to weigh in on the perks that will best help them meet their goals.”
Those perks might include paid vacation time, but most Americans earned paid vacation time they didn’t plan to use last year, according to a study from Bankrate.
In contrast, many millennials are more worried about having that balance than saving for retirement, a study from investment group Willis Towers Watson found. A similar study from U.S. Bank said that almost three quarters of the millennial generation is more concerned about happiness than a high income.
The group identified five tips for managers to help their teams achieve work-life balance:
- Understand employees’ needs. Do whatever makes them efficient, which could be working from home a few days a week or going home 30 minutes earlier.
- Show them the way. Be an example by keeping your weekends for leisure and not sending business communications.
- Work with interim professionals. A consultant can bring specialized experience than can get you through a project quickly, leaving your permanent staff with more flexibility.
- Spread the word. Promote your company’s wellness benefits to employers can get the existing help on finding work-life balance.
- Stay ahead of the pack. Keep up with changes in expectations to make sure your benefits are up to date.
