In today’s fast-paced work environment, the quest for employee happiness is more pressing than ever. To uncover the secrets behind this, insights from a Time Management and Productivity Coach and a manager are shared. The article kicks off with how flexibility boosts employee engagement and wraps up with the importance of separating identity from professional achievements, offering a total of four expert insights. Discover how these principles can transform the workplace dynamic and enhance overall satisfaction.
- Flexibility Boosts Employee Engagement
- Flexibility Ensures Meaningful Daily Life
- Flexibility Integrates Work With Personal Needs
- Separate Identity from Professional Achievements
Flexibility Boosts Employee Engagement
In my experience, employees are happier and more engaged when they have autonomy. And flexibility is central to that. Gone are the days when employers could manage by the “butts in seats” method (and really, that didn’t work so well then either).
One thing we’ve learned from the pandemic is that WHEN and WHERE matter much less than we previously thought when it comes to productivity. And while I think the concept of “work life balance” is a bit fraught, when employees have the autonomy and flexibility to decide when, where, and how to get their work done, a satisfying work-life integration starts to happen.
Employees are workers, yes, but they also have lives outside of work. And the ability to make your own decisions about how to handle your responsibilities across both arenas, in my opinion, is a huge contributor to employee happiness. Because when you allow your employees to do this, they KNOW you trust them.
Alexis Haselberger, Time Management and Productivity Coach, Alexis Haselberger Coaching and Consulting, Inc
Flexibility Ensures Meaningful Daily Life
Since we all work in order to sustain and enjoy our lives, work-life balance is essential to happiness. Having the flexibility to do what you need to do at home or with your family is what makes each day meaningful, so jobs that allow for that are increasingly in demand. That said, this cannot come at the expense of meeting any and all expectations of your job (and, in my opinion, doing a GOOD job.)
Sometimes that second part gets forgotten, but the employer is paying for a skill or service, so we can’t have such flexibility or abuse privileges in a way that leaves our responsibilities or accountability behind. Do your job, meet your deadlines, build trust, and enjoy the flexibility that comes with that trust. I will note, not every career path or job can meet everyone’s specific needs. One must be honest about their experience and potential and factor that into their expectations for this balance.
Lauren Vick, Manager, Employee Performance, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP
Flexibility Integrates Work With Personal Needs
When we consider what an enormous amount of time employees spend at work, it becomes obvious just how critical it is for employees to have some say in their work life. Since autonomy and a sense of power are core needs for everyone, it is vital for companies to establish a framework that acknowledges the importance of flexibility and work-life balance.
An employee who can jet out at lunch for a workout or take PTO for their child’s afternoon recital or ski trip feels valued. Or perhaps, they’re having a bad day and a quiet space at the workplace is provided for grounding and re-centering.
This flexibility allows for a graceful integration of work with their personal needs and lives. It creates an equilibrium that naturally supports better work-life balance. Employees don’t feel controlled but rather they are provided opportunities to feel power in their work appropriately.
In turn, when flexibility and work-life balance are valued and supported by a company, employee happiness, mental health, AND productivity will increase.
Jennifer Williams, Executive Coach & EQ Leadership Trainer, Heartmanity
Separate Identity from Professional Achievements
Most people tend to overlook one fundamental truth about work-life balance. Here’s a simple way to think about it: you are not your work. Your value, identity, and happiness are not determined by your job title or how much you achieve in the workplace. Embracing this mindset is the first step to creating a healthy work-life balance and ensuring that your happiness is rooted in more than just your career.
G. Scott Graham, Business & Career Coach, True Azimuth Coaching
