NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require a password.
Impact of Work/Life Balance
Work-Life Balance and Its Impact in Modern Organizations: An HR Reviewpdf (World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, Jan. 2024)
“…this HR-focused review underscores the significance of work-life balance in modern organizations and highlights the strategic role of HR professionals in shaping policies that foster a healthy equilibrium between professional and personal spheres, ultimately contributing to enhanced employee well-being and organizational success.”
The Surprising Benefits of Work/Life Support (Harvard Business Review, Sep. 1, 2022) E
“Companies need to spell out and uniformly offer policies in three areas: flexibility, time off, and childcare. Doing so, studies show, helps workers and managers alike by lowering stress, improving productivity, boosting retention, and increasing diversity.”
Value of Striking a Balance
Work-Life Balance Is as Important as Career Progression (MiddleEast Insurance Review, Mar. 1, 2024) E
Staff are also more likely to consider work-life balance (93%), flexibility of working hours (81%) and mental health support (83%) as important. These rank higher than career ambition (70%).
Workers View Work-Life Balance as More Important Than Pay, Study Finds (Reuters, Jan. 17, 2024)
“The annual study found that 57% of workers would not accept a job that would negatively affect their work-life balance, including flexibility like working from home, while 55% would decline if they were not offered significantly higher pay.”
Strategies for Achieving Balance
5 Ways to Support Employee Mental Health and Work-Life Balance for Remote Teams (Ebn.Benefitsnews.com, May 30, 2024) E
- Seek unique partnerships that can be easily extended to all employees
- Give employees the resources to separate their workspace from their home life
- Schedule time for social interaction
- Offer flexible work-life policies that promote balance
- Educate employees about mental health benefits
The Art of Equilibrium: Five Ways to Strike a Positive Work-Life Balance (Credit Management, Apr. 1, 2024) E
- Shift your perspective
- Master important skills
- Strive for progress, not progression
- Adjust your working habits
- Implement boundaries
15 Leadership Tips To Boost Both Work-Life Balance And Accountability For Teams (Forbes, May 2, 2023)
15 Forbes Coaches Council members share tips to help business leaders looking for ways to better support employees’ overall health and wellness both inside and outside of work while still driving high expectations of accountability for meeting individual, departmental and organizational goals.
Remote work and work-life balance: Lessons learned from the covid-19 pandemic and suggestions for HRD practitioners (Human Resource Development International, Apr. 1, 2022) E
- Offer remote work as an option: Provide a balanced preview of remote work; Offer a range of remote work options.
- Prepare to support transition and remote work: Develop skills required to support remote workers; Support employee transition.
- Provide ongoing support to sustain remote work: Listen to remote workers; Develop deals through dialogue; Facilitating access to development opportunities.
How To Achieve a Sustainable Workweek: Implement Five Essential Routines for Better Work-Life Balance (Personal Excellence, Mar. 1, 2022) E
Fortunately, the answer to decision fatigue is simple: routines. While we’re all familiar with the concept of routines, it’s worth the reminder that routines are defined as a sequence of actions you regularly follow. Routines differ from habits in that, habits require little or no conscious thought, while routines require a bit more intention and effort.
How Saying 'Yes' And 'No' Could Revolutionize Your Work/Life Balance (World Economic Forum, Jun. 6, 2021)
The key to this alternative approach is to prioritize and learn to say “no” in order to be able to say “yes” when it matters most. Also key is to manage expectations by being clear about what the priorities are.
Finding the Right Work-Life Balance When Working Remotely (Insurance Journal, Apr. 5, 2021) E
Be flexible, set a hard stop time each day, set up “away” and “snooze” capabilities, take time off, and focus on things that really matter.
5 Ways to Leave Your Work Stress at Work (
Harvard Business Review, Mar. 22, 2019)
- Communicate appropriately
- Transition before you get home
- Find a confidant
- Set a day aside
- Gratitude
eBooks & Other Resources
The following eBooks and audiobooks are available to NAR members and association staff:
Balance your Life and Work (eBook)
Finding Work-Life Balance (eBook)
Find Your Work-Life Balance (eBook)
Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life (Audiobook)
The Myth of Work-Life Balance (eBook)
Work–Life Balance (eBook)
Work–Life Balance (eBook) E
Work / Life Balance For Dummies (eBook)
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