How to maintain a healthy work life balance now restrictions are lifted

By Eventus Recruitment Group

15 Mar 2022

work-life-balance.png

The past two years have taught us the importance of striving for a good work life balance. A good work life balance is a difficult thing to get right, particularly if you work to deadlines like in the legal and financial sectors.

As we all carve out a new normal, we’ve been having an increasing number of conversations with people who are struggling with their work life balance, now that they have returned to the workplace. Maintaining a healthy work life balance is important for our mental health and well-being.

Below are some tips for both employees and employers to ensure that we all benefit from a good work life balance now all restrictions have been lifted…

Employees

Speak up

If you are struggling speak to your manager. They might be able to make adjustments to your workload or offer flexible working. It also helps to review priorities together, so you can be in control and on top of your workload. Employers understand that there are some extenuating factors that can impact your work. Internally, they need to know where pressures lie in order to address them.

Look after yourself at work

It’s important that you look after your health whilst at work – drink plenty of water, take proper breaks and don’t skip lunch. Sometimes taking a step back for a couple of minutes can help you think clearer and make you more productive.

Accept your life stage

There are times in your life when you have less time than normal. For example, when you are moving house, have really young children or starting a business. If you can relate to this, there may be little that you can do to change your circumstances. However, simply accepting that it is just a phase of your life and remembering that it won’t last forever will make you feel less stressed. But also making any little changes can definitely make an impact, even carving out 10 minutes for yourself during the day would be a benefit.

Expand your timetable and prioritise

Write a list of everything you have to do and prioritise what’s important both in and out of work. If it’s not possible to get everything done in a week consider expanding your timetable. Rather than stressing about managing to meet up with your friends or family, schedule it on a fortnightly or monthly basis instead.

Switch Off

It’s important to switch off after work, so you don’t take your stresses home. Write down or put in your calendar your ongoing tasks and things you need to complete the next day, before you leave the office or close your laptop if you’re working from home.

Try getting some exercise after work to clear your mind. In addition, schedule some time to relax. Have a long bath, or watch a movie or your favourite TV programme.

Set a deadline each day to switch off your smart phone and stop checking emails. To help you sleep, try doing the same with your personal phone an hour before you go to bed.

Don’t be a perfectionist with everything in your life

We all like to do everything well and to the best of our ability. However, sometimes when you are very busy it’s better to let your target of perfection slip than your relationships with those close to you.

Employers

Check In

Schedule regular meetings with your employees to make sure they are happy and not overwhelmed at work. Doing this allows to you identify any potential issues before they snowball, identify areas of improvement and will make your business a better place to work.

Encourage discussion

Encourage your staff to talk openly about their feelings in the workplace. This creates a mini support network, allows for honesty, things to be addressed and positive change to happen in the workplace.

If people are afraid to speak up, feelings and problems are internalised, which will ultimately make them worse.

Be flexible

The pandemic has shown that employees can be flexible in terms of working location and hours and still be as productive. It’s important that employers recognise this and take it forward now restrictions are lifted. For example, if an employee has a hospital appointment and it’s nearer to their home than the office, let them work from home. Flexibility works two ways, if you are flexible with your employees, they will be flexible with you. For example, if you want them to work late one day to meet a deadline.

We are finding that more and more candidates in the Legal, HR Finance and Accountancy sectors are looking for more flexibility, and those employers who don’t provide this will ultimately lose out in the war for talent.

Rewards

Reward your staff for their hard work, it will make them feel valued and increase loyalty to your company. We find that valued employees are always more productive. Try a team building event or offer incentives. For example, half a day off spent as a team doing something fun if they reach a milestone. Read our top tips for creating successful team building events here. We recently had an evening in London and it really boosted team morale, but it doesn’t have to be this big. What about a team lunch or breakfast even?

Get support with your work life balance

Half the battle of a good work life balance and being happy in your work is doing a job that you love. As the Chinese Philosopher Confucius said: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” If you are unhappy in your current role or are looking to work in Law, HR, Finance or Accountancy, we are here to help.

We are award-winning specialists for Legal, HR, Finance and Accountancy sectors. Established in 2008, we have a wealth of experience in recruiting the right candidates with the skills and efficiency to help businesses thrive across the UK. To view our latest jobs, please click here or get in touch for a confidential discussion.

If you would like support with recruiting, please click here to contact us. We offer a bespoke and tailored service to help you find talented candidates who match with your business and requirements.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest jobs, advice and updates from us.

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin