I had to do a double take when I saw the headline in the Globe & Mail editorial this past week, “Canada: Our time to Lead – Work-Life Balance”. Finally! We’ve realized it takes more than just individual effort to achieve a healthy, sustainable balance between work and home is an idea long overdue. And to think that Canada should and could eventually be a leader in this movement is a very exciting concept.
Web of Costs
As many of you well know from your own struggles, it takes more than just well intentioned efforts to get out of the office at a reasonable time, not to mention having enough energy for a semblance of a personal life afterwards. Having a life outside of work also takes a forward thinking and supportive workplace. In the big picture, this is what’s necessary to address the $10-billion+ annual tab for lost output due to stress leave, depression and absenteeism. This gigantic tab is what we all, in one way or another, pay. And pay dearly we do.
Connecting Dots
What happens in one domain impacts all others. Being consistently overstretched affects your physical and mental health, your ability to do your job and your home life. In turn this increases the likelihood of more frequent visits to your healthcare provider.
Stressed out, overwhelmed people are tired parents and exhausted spouses. Ever had a month, or several, where all you could do after work was flop on the couch, eat chips, be cranky, and flip the channel changer?
What’s Missing?
Because unhappiness at work distrupts the balance in personal, corporate and social realms, a broad solution is necessary. But it can all begin in the workplace — the place where we spend most of our waking moments. Sure, people need to take personal responsibility. No question. Yes, workplaces must concurrently support and encourage their people to develop the skills to help them be successful at work, and increasing numbers do.
But the most critical piece is often missing. Workplaces must also actively support their people to have rich and rewarding lives outside of work...and not just with a few workshops, but as an ongoing commitment, reflected every day. This is what the Engage 360 Program was designed to do and delivers on.
Engage 360 is a proven, comprehensive program that supports you or your team by helping you to identify and follow through on critical decisions that effect your capabilities and wellbeing in all aspects of your life.
Are you ready to become a model employer? Can you really afford the costs of doing nothing?
