Introduction

Work-life balance is about people having a measure of control over when, where and how they work, leading them to be able to enjoy an optimal quality of life. Work-life balance is achieved when an individual’s right to a fulfilled life inside and outside paid work is accepted and respected as the norm, to the mutual benefit of the individual, business and society.

This programme looks at the both the individual and the corporate aspect of planning and implementing a work-life balance approach. The programme will use a work-life balance assessment tool to show where delegates are at present and give them a five-step plan that can be used to help them move towards a positive work-life balance state.

Objectives   

As a result of attending the course participants will be able to:

• Understand the benefits and purpose of effective WLB harmony
• Assess their own ongoing activities on a WLB basis
• Identify the roles and activities in their life require differing levels of attention.
• Know the cultural implications of WLB initiatives in the workplace.
• Set up a WLB programme in the workplace
• Know the behaviours that can upset the WLB harmony.
• Use assertive communication skills to negotiate WLB priorities
• Develop new work management techniques and approaches to achieve an ongoing WLB harmony. 

Content

Topics to include:

• Evaluating and understanding the current work-life balance and the impact of imbalance on the individual and the organisation
• Using the assessment tool and recognising the causes of imbalance
• Pinpointing the roles we have in work and life, the stresses that some may generate and the impact on our well being at work and at home
• Targeting the activities that "drain" us and the activities that "fuel" us.
• How to put life into balance with the five-step plan and using our strengths to our advantage.
• Getting our priorities right and protecting them through a healthy balance of activities
• Creating realistic goals for life and work and seeing the combination of factors to achieve them
• In the workplace, linking work-life initiatives to recruitment and retention strategies, as well as development goals and initiatives
• Ensuring that work place programmes cover the full life cycle and include all personal responsibilities such as education and career development, caring for aging relatives, ill, injured or disabled family members;
• Knowing how to develop enhanced policies and options for extend leave, to include family leave, education leave and/or personal leave
• Understand the importance of developing measurements to hold individuals and managers accountable for creating supportive work environments such as work-life balance and wellness in measurement tools.
• Finding practical ways to bring life into balance
• Harmony check tools to keep things on track

Training Methods

A combination of formal content, exercises and workshops.

Duration

One day designed for people wishing to develop WLB in their own and introduce it into the work place.