Things are looking up for professionals in pursuit of that evasive work-life balance. It’s not all one-sided either: experts tell us that balance is just as good for organisational development as it is for staff morale. Here are some facts and figures…

The Stats Are Positive From An Organisational Development Point of View

According to the results of the Regus Work-Life Balance Index released in September this year people are more successful at finding that precarious balance and are enjoying greater job satisfaction as a result. It also shows that businesses are more productive and how important that balance is in the greater scheme of organisational development. The Work-Life Index is performed on a global scale and surveys the opinions of 160 000 professionals in 80 countries around the world. It measures factors like working hours and commuting and comparative results from 2010 and 2012 reflect a 24 per cent increase in work-life balance from survey participants.

Analysts have attributed the improvement to more stability following the “market freefall” before 2010 and the global financial crisis which shook the foundations of organisations around the world. Over the last two years concerns over job insecurities have decreased in many sectors and markets are showing signs of resurgence despite instability from Asian markets and the Eurozone.

What’s more important though is the attention the results have drawn to the importance of finding that balance. We’ve known for a while that it’s important for staff to stay healthy and happy but the survey highlights the importance of balance for organisational development and growth.

So how did South Africa fare? Well the survey tells us that 76 per cent of South Africans enjoy their work more and are satisfied with their leisure and personal activities and hobbies. 75 per cent of the locals surveyed said 2012 was more productive than 2010 and that they had achieved more than in 2012. Interestingly 37 per cent also said that organisations have tried to reduce their commuting time and have acknowledged the stresses and strains of long journeys.

Experts tell us that organisations that prioritise employee wellness and promote work-life balance within the structure of their organisational development have a better chance of hiring and retaining top talent. And with so many companies trying to keep staff turnover to a minimum, it makes good business sense to be proactive about avoiding employee burn out and keeping stress levels to a minimum.