As employers, it has always been important to provide an adequate work life balance for staff. It is logical that there has to be a balance between their personal and professional life as it keeps employees happy, and maintains the health of the business. To ensure increased productivity it is vitally important not to let employees get overstretched as this leads to burn out and when this happens it is clinically proven that it reduces motivation, concertation and brain function. When workers report high levels of stress this reduces productivity and increases employee turnover, stress is an extremely costly concern for business owners.
According to a survey run by the Kronos organisation *, nearly half of HR leaders (46 percent) say employee burnout is responsible for up to half (20 to 50 percent, specifically) of their annual workforce turnover. It has also been found that employees who believe that they have good work-life balance work 21% harder than those who don't**
So how do offshore companies specifically help staff maintain an effective a work life balance?
Firstly, you need to know a bit about the cultural identity of your workforce. Let’s look at the experience in Vietnam. Many Asians define work-life balance as having enough time set aside for their private lives, but this can hide differing country-by-country attitudes. In Singapore, the majority defined work-life balance as having leisure time to spend privately, while in Vietnam, they see it as offering external activities such as sports and cultural events. Many Vietnamese stress the importance of social ties more than their western counterparts. For example, they rely more on support from friends and family. We also find that most Vietnamese like to spend their leisure time with their colleagues; this is a form of natural team building. In this environment, we can expect increased productivity.
Once you have a good team it is important to create an environment where retention is at an optimum. In Vietnam company loyalty is strong but it can be improved by creating a workplace where the staff can be engaged in the social fabric of the organisation and creating almost a family type atmosphere.
Some offshore companies such as the remote staffing solutions company Remote Resources have designated areas for rest relaxation and social interaction and discourage employees from taking breaks at their desks. It is important to take breaks to recharge the brain cells and to maintain optimum productivity, especially when engaged with highly technical and work consisting principally of mental activity.
There is a high cost in replacing workers because of the productivity losses when someone leaves a job, the costs of hiring and training a new employee, and the slower productivity until the new employee gets up to speed in their new job. Also if employees are engaged productively and socially in your business, they are also the individuals who are the most likely the most productive, creative, loyal, and motivated. These same engaged employees take fewer sick days, are less likely to leave, and are willing to promote your business to others. If you surround yourself with more of these types of employees, then providing a work life balance for them is the best place to start.
Being a business that supports a mutually productive work life balance you will create a more positive brand perception as an employer and for your business. Having this type of brand perception can help attract and recruit top talent. Not only is this good for your business’s growth it gives an advantage over the competition. A work life balance can help you increase revenue, cut unnecessary expenses, and improve your organisation's reputation.
