Work/Life balance and what job seekers really want

When it comes to attracting (and keeping!) top talent, you need to consider more than just the base salary and benefits you’re able to offer. For many people, work/life balance is a higher priority than ever before, and communicating that it’s something your business takes seriously will set you apart from the competition; meaning you’ll attract higher quality applicants to advertised roles, keep staff longer once you’ve snagged them, and have a more productive workforce overall.

But what do job seekers mean when they say ‘work/life balance’, and how exactly can you help them achieve it?

5 steps to creating work/life balance for your employees

Be flexible – Work/life balance empowers people to focus their time and energy equally on both work, and the other important areas of their lives. Of course, everyone is different and what that looks like is different for every individual, so it’s important to be flexible. For some people this could mean remote work, for others it will be compressed workweeks or dynamic working hours.

Communicate – Like any successful relationship, communication is key. The first step is to allow staff the opportunity to fully discuss their needs and circumstances so that you can create a suitable schedule together. Then, you need to be able to clearly communicate your expectations in regard to deliverables and deadlines so that everyone is on the same page about what is required and when.

Nurture a supportive culture – Your goal should be to create a workplace in which individual needs are recognised and where employees are valued for their overall contribution, and not just what time they’re sitting at their desks. Employers who can create a culture of collaboration, trust and respect – rather than a culture of clocking in 9 to 5 are more likely to attract top talent and retain them in the long term.

Invest in wellness – Promoting a healthy work/life balance often requires looking at the bigger picture. By taking a holistic approach to your employees, you can help them be their best, happiest and most productive selves. By investing in wellness programs, mental health assistance and health incentives, you’ll be showing your employees that you care about their health and wellbeing.

Provide development opportunities – It’s human nature to want to advance our skills and gain momentum in our lives. By providing your staff with mentoring opportunities, training and a clear path for progression within your business. you will be empowering them to see work as a way to enhance their lives – instead of just a way to pay the bills. This will consequently improve morale and help staff feel motivated.

Support and nurture your workforce. Rethink employment with CoAct.

At the end of the day, there is no one magic formula for creating work/life balance. It requires an intentional approach and an understanding that everyone’s needs are different. The good news is that a healthy work/life balance will drive employee engagement, boost productivity and help with staff retention. Creating a culture of flexibility, trust and respect is not only possible, but vital for a business that wants to find true success.

Need help finding top talent around Australia? Our service partners have a pool of over 30,000 candidates around Australia. We can help connect you with experienced candidates at no cost to you. Contact us today to find out more.

(Disability Employment Services Australia (DES) has now been replaced by Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA).