Work-Life Balance Assignment

Introduction

Work-life balance is that terms which are mainly used to evaluate and describe the balance which is working individually that requires between time allocation for work and other factors of life. It is important for the company is to maintain and manage work-life and develop a positive environment. The work-life balance also assists in reducing and eliminating stress and helps in protecting burnout in the workplace. To develop and create healthy environments that prioritize work-life balance, managers can protect the money and manage a sound, more productive organization. The report is based on Sainsbury which is an international retail company that provides a variety of products and services in the market place. The main purpose of this assignment is to focus on outlining the work-life balance and evaluate its impact on the modern workplace, which determines both the company and its workers effectively. Along with this, leaders have maintained stability in the firm.

Literature Review

Evaluation and analysis of the concept of ‘work-life balance’ and its relevance and effect on the modern-day workplace, evaluating both the organization and its employees

Work-life balance is the phenomenon in which there is a lack of resistance within the working life and other life roles. It is the state in which equilibrium in personal life, professional life, and family should be maintained by the organization. Work-life balance is an important concept or aspect in a healthy working environment(Starmer, et. al., 2016). The concept of work-life balance brings balance in the working environment and personal life of the organization’s employees and another individual. The maintaining of work-life balance will help the organization in reducing stress and prevents workplace pressure from the employees. The organization which promotes and gives priority to the concept of work-life balance for their employees and in the working environment will help the employees in saving money to maintain a healthier and even more protective working force.

The work-life balance aspect is very relevant in the modern-day life of the business organizations. It is very relevant for every organization to maintain working life balance and equilibrium in the work-life for the employees and the whole organization for improving the working performance of the employees. Sainsbury is a retail organization that is highly maintaining the work-life balance within the organization and its employees. This is proved to be relevant as per the improved performance and increase in the accuracy rate of the work done by employees (Sirgy, et. al., 2018). The working environment of the employees in Sainsbury will enhance its performance and criteria for accuracy in work done by the employees of Sainsbury. The Sainsbury organization continuously maintains a work-life balance in the organization as a relevant part of the working life in which it helps in maintaining the stress level in employees caused by the imbalance in the work-life of employees who regard professional life and personal family life of the organization.

In modern-day life, the concept of work-life balance fits correctly and also shows its effect on modern-day work life. The modern-day work life is very hectic which requires stress reliever in some form of activities which burns out the level of stress in the employees of the organization which develops due to the lack of balance in the working life of the employees and the family or personal life in their homes. The stress and oppression of the employees in working life will affect the working performance of the employees. This needs to be dealt with by the organization and the employees to maintain the working life balance in the workplace environment. The work-life balance concept affects the modern-day workplace in such a way that in the present time many large corporations and organizations are getting work-life balance in the daily working criteria of the company(Shanafelt, et. al., 2015). Sainsbury is one of the largest retail markets of the world which is now using the concept of work-life balance in their organization for both the employees and the organizations’ betterment. The work-life balance helps the organization in various ways. The employees and organizations get benefits in applying the concept of work-life balance in the daily working life of the employees and the whole organization’s working strategy for the growth and development in the modern days working criteria.

The work-life balance is the concept which not only maintains health and relationships in the organizations and employees but it is also very important in the enhancement of the productivity and ultimate performance of both the employees and the organizations. Focusing on the concept of work-life balance in the organizations helps the employees and the organization itself in drawing valuable talent hunt for the new hiring process or recruiting which will help in boosting the retention rates in the organization. Work-life balance highly promotes the increase in the productivity of both the employees and the whole organization in this modern day working style where the organization is taking pressure of work and loading them on to the employees which are unable to maintain their personal life due to the excessive pressure of work from the company(Seierstad, et. al., 2015). This is creating a mess in their personal life which ultimately leads towards the drop in performance in their work of the organization. Thus the various organizations need to maintain and introduce work-life balance for the employees and the organization. This will not only reduce the stress from the lives of the employees but also improve the productivity in the working of the employees as enhanced performance and focus on the given task or assignment. This is crucial in this modern-day world of the working area where is work is placed on a higher rank than the personal life stuff on the priority lists of the employees and the organizations. The implementation of the work-life balance in the daily life of the employees and the organization will improve the certain criteria of stress management and improve the performance of the employees and the organization also.

There are many ways through which the organization and employees can introduce the concepts and various aspects of the work-life balance into their working life at the organization and their personal life. They need to play to their strengths, prioritize their time for managing different activities of work life and personal life(Zheng, et. al., 2015). They need to be aware of the peaks and the troughs of their working criteria in both the organization and the employees. Time management and prioritizing the things to be done in a particular period is the way to manage the balance between work-life and personal life by the organization and the employees. It shows its effects on both the aspects which are the organization and the employees as they are connected with each other’s failure and success in the work-life balance implementation in the real world organizations like Sainsbury.

Main Body

Define Work-life balance. How this is different based on culture? Is there a ‘business’ case for it or is it simply a soft, humanistic concept?

Work-life balance is the situation of lack of antagonism between the other life roles and work. It is the situation of equilibrium that requires balance maintenance in personal life, professional life, and family life to be equal. Work-life balance can be different based on the culture in the organization. Every organization is different from the other based on the cultural difference within the working life of a particular organization. Just like that, every organization’s idea of work-life balance can be different based on the culture followed in the organization. Some organizations maintain and implement work-life balance in such a manner where they provide 5 day working and holidays on weekends which gives the employees a chance and time to spend their time on weekends with their families to maintain their work-life balance and reduce the work stress by enjoying in the bonding of family(Mas-Machuca, et. al., 2016). Whereas in some organizations the working days are 6 but the duration of working duty reduce to two hours which gives their employees time to spend time with their families and personal life matters. This organization’s idea of work-life balance differs based on the culture being followed in the organization as per their ease.

The work-life balance is a humanistic concept which is nowadays is being adopted as a business case by many large organizations. This is the concept that improves the personal life and professional lives of the employees who are working hard to maintain their personal life and professional life in such a manner that reduces the level of stress and pressure of work from the lives of the employees. The concept is the formation of the humanistic feelings which is overcoming in the modern days of work which is stressful and pressurizing the employee’s mental health which also influences the performance and efficiency of the employees in working for the organizations(Karkoulian, et. al., 2016). Thus the organizations come up with the concept of work-life balance in the organizations’ daily working criteria which is now has become the basic necessity of the employees to work in an organization. The employees nowadays not only care for the salary offered to them in the workplace but they also consider the work-life balance in the organization. Thus this humanitarian concept of maintaining a balance between the working life and the personal or family life has become the concept of business in all over the world which is becoming famous for organizations to think about the personal life of the employees which also helps in reducing stress which can sometimes lead towards massive steps life-ending their lives due to excessive pressure from the working place. This concept is considered the aspects of the organizations and also the aspects of employees in simultaneous growth and development in personal and professional life.

Why should managers and leaders have to consider this? Should we take this concept into account when devising strategy?

It is important for company managers and leaders are to consider the work-life balance that helps in inspire and motivate people to perform great work in an organization. An effective leader inspires and encourages such people who canperform tasks within a limited time. The advantages of an improved WLB for leaders are plenty. With the assistance of this concept, leaders and managers can easily boost productivity, engagement, and innovation in an organization(Gilley, et. al., 2015). Maintaining a healthy and positive working life is not only significant for relationships and health, but it is also important for improving the employees’ productivity and their performance level. Sainsbury company leaders also consider work-life balance and they believe that it is required for each employee is to maintain a balance between their work and personal life that assist in increasing growth and provide success to them.

Along with this, managers think that WLB helps in motivating and encouraging the workers to achieve higher goals that enhance the success level of the company. It is analyzed that work-life balance assists in boost productivity, profitability, morale, innovation, and engagement. Teams do not generate accurate outcomes and results and it can become resentful. Sometimes stress and fatigue impact how an individual brain and body can function(Chan, et. al., 2016). Leaders analyze employee’s demands as per this they are fulfilling their requirements through which they perform appropriate work. The managers motivate their staff members are to focus on their personal and professional life equally. By this, they can easily maintain stability in their working performance. Cultivating the work environment where work-life balance is the norm that can enhance retention and reduces turnover or absenteeism. It is not easy for someone is to thrive in unfavorableworking situations and such subjected to that situation that is not likely to stick it for more than two years. However, the work-life balance generates and creates a positive working culture and also properly increases brand perception.

Leaders and managers of an organization can take this concept while they are developing and formulating a specific strategy. For devising strategies, it is important for leaders is to analyze employees’ culture and background based on this they are form tactics according to their requirements where they can easily perform their work in a given time. The main purpose of the WLB is to focus on the health and wellbeing of the employees when they are not able to maintain stability in their professional and personal life and face some issues. By this, they can not concentrate on their work and demotivate themselves towards the job. While planning and devising the strategy, this is important for Sainsbury leaders is to analyze the work-life balance concept as it helps in increasing the productivity of the employees so they need to develop such a strategy that maintains this concept effectively(Cahill, et. al., 2015). Managers should conduct a meeting where they require inviting all the employees to discuss the WLB benefits and how this will helps in developing strategies for the company. In this, they need to take each staff member’s reviews and responsesconcerning their strategies and provide feedback for the required changes. With the evaluating of the WLB concept, leaders can properly work on planning and formulating such tactics that are best suitable for the organizational environment and it will influence the productivity of the employees as well. Along with this, Sainsbury managers should concentrate on workers’ health and safety as per this strategy need to develop so that this will enhance the motivation level among staff members. They should focus the attention of employees in engaged in strategy formulation meetings where they can take their reviews regarding any alterations.

Why are leaders and managers crucial to the success of its implementation? Critically discuss using case examples in your answer.

The role of managers and leaders in the successful implementation of work-life balance in an organization is developinga positive working environment. The managers are focus on culture and reduce negative working styles in the workplace. For example, Sainsbury managers analyzed that company having poor WLB themselves due to the heavy work pressure beyond their control. Also, they are facing poor communication and intranet services which create a barrier in the implementation of this concept(Agarwal, et. al., 2015). For this, firstly they are developingeffectivestrategies and motivate employees to respect the different cultures of people and develop an optimistic environment in the workplace. This is important for leaders are to concentrate on maintaining a strategy that helps to gain the attention of employees to perform great work and reach potential goals. They are training their employees to perform work with great efficiency that enhances business growth and goodwill in the large market place. Also, they are encouraging their staff for dealing with new employees and provide the required information about the company working style.

The managers motivate their other supervisors is to develop a positive and sound environment in the workplace that encourages staff members to do the best work and put their efforts. Certain factors need to focus by managers such as maintenance management which are connected to both work-life balance policies and increase productivity. This recommended that effective and good management is the key to WLB strategies translating into optimistic results like enhance profitability and productivity level. Along with this, it is required for managers are to analyze the gap between personal and professional that creates difficulty for the employees(Adame, et. al., 2016). For this, they are communicating with them and resolve their problems within less time. Managers also adopt some strategies through which they can successfully implement work-life balance. In an organization,a five-working day system is implemented by which employees can spend some time with their families and relatives thatreduces their anxiety and stress. Sometimes, they are providinghalf days on special festivals and days which make satisfied and happy with their workers. This will helps in reducing their tension and feel fresh to perform work with new enthusiasm. An organization manager considers what tasks are essential for achieving a healthy work-life balance and prioritize them. They make the workday as productive as it is possible by executing time management strategies, evaluate the to-do list, and cutting down the work which has no values. This is required for a firm is to concentrate on maintaining and managing the working style and helps in implementing the WLB in the company.

Conclusion

Based on the above-described report, it can be work-life balance is used to determine and evaluate the environment of an organization. This is required for the company is to focus on maintaining and managing a healthier environment in a better manner. In addition to this, work-life balance helps in developing positive settings in the workplace where all the employees perform their work to gain desired goals and objectives. In every organization, the leaders and managers maintain the culture and provide job satisfaction to their employees. It is necessary for the company is to maintain a balance between the working environment so that they can easily properly perform tasks. The leaders and managers are work for satisfying their employees to use an effective approach that helps them in achieving desired goals. Also, they are formulating strategies and policies which assist in gaining high income and profitability.

References

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