A little change this week from my usual promotion of cyber security issues, prompted, at least in part, by the changes affecting SMEs by the budget, and also because I do tend to interact a lot with HR and recruitment company’s largely because of the amounts of personal identifiable information that they hold and their concern about those budget changes.

There are going to be different views about those changes, driven by lots of things ranging from political views to how they will impact individuals and I’m not going to pore oil on those differing views.  That’s not the focus of this piece.

My first 30 years employment, from age 15 to age 40, was spent in the public sector, 25 years in the Army and 5 years in the NHS.  I then left and spent 2 years in a UK company before moving on to a major US corporation, followed by 2 more major US corporations.  By that time I’d had enough and wanted to run my own business my own way.  A challenge which never stops but has its rewards.  The contrast between the attitudes in the UK and in the US are stark, even given that the UK has attitudes to employment and laws, which are much more onerous than they are in Western Europe.

One of the first things that hits you in a US corporation is the expectation that you will work as long as they want you to, go where they want you to, and do what they want you to, all within the same salary.  Some managers are harsher than others of course, but the stock price will win every argument, and I well remember the Chairman of my first company openly admitting that they used staffing levels to control the stock price.  That meant that they would cut staff to keep the markets happy, without a second thought and absolutely hated that they couldn’t do that in Europe because of the employment laws.  The US employees had no such protection.

There were many examples of how employees were often impacted by the attitude of the senior management across the pond.  One such sticks out when I was running a team in the middle east.  Our weekends were Friday and Saturday, we worked Sundays.  One Friday the team had hired a boat, privately between us, and we were anchored offshore with the team diving off the boat into some very warm waters and having a good time.  My mobile phone rang, and I was told that I needed to get online and produce some stats that were needed immediately.  All the European teams were doing this.  I told him we couldn’t get to the office and even sent him some photos that I took with my phone to show him where we were and reminded him it was our weekend. 

Needless to say, I was reprimanded for this and told that I wasn’t being loyal.  I was a manager who insisted on looking after my guys (and gals) but that wasn’t universally appreciated by those above.

So, what is senior management often missing when they treat staff poorly, when they are demanding and even sometimes, demeaning.  Managers are looking for productivity, of course they are, without that the company goes under, but is a happy staff more productive than an unhappy one.  If we are paying a low wage and making staff claim UC to make it up, does that demean the staff member as well as putting the burden on the taxpayer.  Going back to my time in the Army in the late seventies, I remember being a Lance Corporal and qualifying for supplementary benefit, which I found demeaning.  Mind you it got worse, I was promoted to Corporal and no longer qualified and lost about a tenner a week – a lot of dosh back then.

Let’s now look at what a good work-life balance is going to give us.  Is it essential for maintaining overall well-being and improving not just the personal aspects of life, but also does it improve those professional aspects that increase productivity?  I’m not declaring myself one way or another and would prefer others to come to their own conclusions.

a. Improved Mental Health

• Reduces stress and anxiety.
• Helps prevent burnout by creating time for rest and self-care.
• Encourages a clearer mind, enhancing focus and decision-making.

b. Enhanced Physical Health

• Allows for regular exercise and proper sleep.
• Reduces the risk of stress-related illnesses, such as heart disease and high blood pressure, reducing time off for illness.

c. Increased Productivity

• Balancing personal and professional priorities leads to greater focus and efficiency at work.
• Employees who are well-rested and satisfied with their personal lives tend to be more motivated.

d. Stronger Relationships

• Allocating time for family and friends strengthens personal bonds and social support networks.
• Improves communication and connection with families.

e. Greater Job Satisfaction

• Employees who maintain balance are more likely to enjoy their work, feel fulfilled, and remain engaged.
• Reduces turnover rates by creating a supportive work environment.

f. Personal Growth and Fulfilment

• Provides opportunities to pursue hobbies, interests, and personal goals.
• Encourages learning and development outside of work, leading to a more well-rounded life.

g. Better Work Culture

• Promotes a positive workplace where employees feel respected and valued.
• Encourages teamwork and collaboration by reducing tension and conflict.

h. Increased Creativity and Innovation

• Taking breaks and engaging in diverse activities fosters creative thinking and problem-solving.

We can argue that a poor work-life balance on the other hand, can have wide-ranging effects, impacting mental, physical, and social well-being as well as professional performance. Here’s a breakdown:

a. Physical Health Issues

• Increased stress levels: Chronic stress can lead to headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, and weakened immunity.
• Higher risk of chronic illnesses: Conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes can result from prolonged stress and lack of physical activity.
• Sleep problems: Difficulty in disconnecting from work may lead to insomnia or poor-quality sleep.

b. Mental Health Challenges

• Burnout: Persistent overwork can result in emotional exhaustion, reduced productivity, and detachment from work.
• Anxiety and depression: Long hours and the pressure to perform can exacerbate mental health issues.
• Reduced focus and creativity: Mental fatigue from a poor balance impairs cognitive functioning and decision-making.

c. Professional Consequences

• Decreased productivity: Overworking may initially boost

So, what do I personally, conclude from this and why do I care?  Well firstly I’m a human being and so should care and secondly, I’m a business owner and want my staff focused, productive, great for clients to interact with, responsive and who look forward to coming in every day, or at least most days, every day is probably a stretch.  I will also readily admit that some of these points aren’t my own, I have cribbed from some research I did into this area.

What is your take?  I would expect differing views and that’s OK, we all face issues every day in business, some we have in common, and some are unique to a particular business.  I’m not looking for an argument, just some mature reflection.