The importance of work-life balance: A comprehensive guide

Workplace wellness is more than a feel-good buzzword. It’s become a central focus for many executives across industries. According to a 2024 Gallup survey, 23% of Chief Human Resource Officers consider well-being a top priority in their organizations.¹

Wellness programs can significantly enhance employees’ mental and physical health. One study found that these initiatives led to improved health behaviors, such as active weight management.² Similarly, a systematic review of wellness programs reported that such initiatives have led to improved work-life balance for mothers.³

This blog explores why work-life balance is important, especially in the post-COVID era. We’ll also share practical tips for promoting employee health and wellness.

Understanding employee health and wellness

Adequate work-life balance has been shown to enhance workplace morale and productivity.⁴ When employees are well-rested, healthy, and able to manage their stress effectively, they have more mental and physical energy to devote to their projects and tasks.

While employees can prioritize wellness independently, support and encouragement from employers can augment well-being and help employees achieve their wellness goals. If employees don’t feel equipped to take care of their mental and physical health, they may sacrifice their work-life balance.

One key factor in this trend is the rise of so-called "hustle culture" in the United States.⁵ This mindset encourages a single-minded focus on productivity, with disregard for self-care and rest. For many, it’s a fast track to burnout.

The growing importance of work-life balance post-COVID

Work-life balance has always been vital to employee well-being. After all, you can't prioritize your mental and physical health if you don't have time for self-care. However, it’s become especially important post-COVID. According to a 2022 study, employees experienced higher rates of burnout and emotional exhaustion after the pandemic.⁶

The rise of remote and hybrid work has also affected work-life balance. While many employees love the flexibility of these arrangements, working from home can increase burnout and stress.⁷ For instance, remote workers may struggle to fully unplug at the end of their workdays. Promoting work-life balance can help address these issues and improve employees’ overall health.

Work-life balance examples across industries

Many companies have already implemented successful workplace wellness programs. Some have taken a holistic wellness approach, focusing on balancing all areas of health. Others have incorporated health challenges, with competitions and prizes for achieving wellness goals. Additionally, companies are introducing more nutritious cafeteria options, emphasizing mental health, and even offering education in financial wellness.⁸

The following examples of wellness initiatives aimed at improving work-life balance showcase how organizations have made tangible impacts on the mental and physical health of their workforce:

Google's holistic well-being approach

Google, a tech giant renowned for its innovative workplace practices, has been a pioneer in prioritizing employee well-being. Beyond traditional health initiatives, Google offers on-site fitness centers, meals and snacks, ergonomic support, massage programs, workspaces that promote well-being and collaboration, and comprehensive mental health support.

This holistic approach has not only improved the overall health of their employees but has also positively influenced their work-life balance.⁹

Microsoft's flexibility for work-life harmony

Microsoft has been a trailblazer in recognizing the importance of work-life balance, especially in the hybrid work era. According to an article authored by Microsoft’s Head of People, Dawn Klinghoffer, “Between April and November 2020, employees’ satisfaction with work-life balance dropped by 13 percentage points,” as workloads and meeting times increased in a hybrid work format.¹⁰

Understanding that employees have diverse personal commitments, Microsoft implemented flexible work arrangements, allowing employees to better integrate their professional and personal lives by prioritizing work, setting boundaries, and reevaluating meetings. This approach has not only boosted job satisfaction but has also contributed to a more positive and inclusive work environment in the post-COVID era.¹⁰

Salesforce's mental health priority

Salesforce, a global leader in cloud-based software, places a significant emphasis on mental health support. Recognizing the impact of stress on overall well-being, Salesforce provides employee assistance programs, counseling services, and stress management resources. This commitment to mental health has resulted in decreased absenteeism and increased employee satisfaction.¹¹

Johnson & Johnson's comprehensive wellness programs

Johnson & Johnson, a multinational healthcare company, has implemented comprehensive wellness programs that go beyond physical health. Their initiatives include founding the Human Performance Institute in Florida, which promotes work-life balance, running mental health awareness campaigns, hosting stress management workshops, and providing benefits that support well-being, including the following:

• Telecommuting
• Flexible hours
• On-site child care
• Adoption assistance
• Generous maternity and paternity leaves

This holistic approach has not only improved the health of their employees but has also created a positive and supportive workplace culture.¹²

How to promote work-life balance effectively

Workplace wellness can be broken down into a few key areas. It’s important to consider all aspects of employee health for a holistic and well-rounded wellness approach.

Physical health initiatives

One way to improve employee well-being is to include physical health initiatives in the workplace. Management can encourage regular physical activity by including a gym in the office or offering gym membership discounts as an employee benefit. If there are communal food options in the office, such as a vending machine or snack selection, employers can consider introducing more nutritious choices.

For employees who are at their desks all day, employers might consider incorporating ergonomic workspaces or flexible seating options. Consider offering standing or walking desks, kneeling chairs, or extra-supportive seating to improve posture and reduce pain. Ensure all desks and keyboards are the right height to reduce shoulder strain, and computer monitors are elevated to eye level for proper neck positioning.¹³

Of course, physical health matters for remote employees, too. These workers may spend long hours at their desks as well, bouncing from one online meeting to another. Virtual fitness classes can help these workers stay active and engaged, no matter where they’re working. Organizing remote fitness challenges can also add a little friendly competition.

Mental health support

Supporting mental health and wellness in the workplace is just as important as supporting physical health. Poor employee mental health can lead to high turnover rates, chronic absence, and reduced productivity.¹⁴ Improving mental wellness starts with reducing the stigma around issues such as depression, anxiety, and burnout. However, in order for mental health initiatives to truly be successful, they need to extend further.

Offering employee assistance programs can help workers reach counseling resources to which they might not otherwise have access.¹⁵ These can include telehealth services, which make it easier than ever to connect with mental health professionals.

Mental health can also be improved through stress management at work. Encouraging practices such as journaling, meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and mindfulness at work can help reduce employee stress.¹⁶ A variety of digital mental health resources, such as apps that offer guided meditation support, can augment these initiatives and ensure they are accessible to all employees, regardless of location.

Work-life balance programs

There are many ways to encourage employees to balance their work obligations with their personal lives. Offering flexible work arrangements, for example, allows employees to take care of their homes and families without getting behind on work. Employees should also be encouraged to take advantage of paid time off and vacation policies when they need a break.

A new movement in work-life balance also encourages work-life integration. This involves employees blending their work and personal lives. For example, work-life integration might include creating time for household chores during the workday or adjusting meeting schedules to better align with childcare needs.¹⁷

Create a wellness culture

Encouraging wellness in the workplace isn’t just about promoting healthy choices. It’s about creating a culture of wellness throughout the company. For example, it’s important to make sure leadership isn’t just supporting health initiatives but is actively involved in them. If the company leaders take care of themselves, it will show other employees how strongly well-being is valued.

Employers can also offer incentives for workers to get involved in wellness initiatives. Creating wellness competitions or offering rewards for reaching wellness milestones can give staff the extra encouragement they need to take care of themselves.

Measuring workplace health and wellness success

It’s not always easy to see the impact of workplace wellness initiatives. Sure, employees might seem happier, but are your efforts actually making a difference?

Establishing clear metrics is key to measuring the impact of your wellness efforts. Here are a few key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor:

• Absenteeism rates 
• Employee satisfaction 
• Health insurance expenditures 
• Participation rates 
• Productivity 
• Retention rates 

Be sure to check in with your employees directly, too. Conduct regular surveys to collect feedback and identify areas of improvement. For example, your team might report that they want workshops offered at different times or that they think different physical wellness offerings would be more helpful. Leveraging such feedback can help you determine how to optimize your initiatives and integrate them most effectively into your organization.

Prepare to lead a business that prioritizes health

An online MBA from the University of Kansas will prepare you for all aspects of a successful business career, including improving the health and wellness of your workforce. Through KU's rigorous curriculum, you’ll develop deep knowledge of key business practices and the leadership skills you need to create a supportive and productive workplace. If you are ready to take the next step in your career and increase your impact as a business leader, review our admissions requirements and contact an admissions outreach advisor today to learn more.