Worklife Balance
Encourage a better worklife balance and lead by example.
- Lead by example – think about not staying late at work on at least one day a week, and not taking work home. Encourage staff to do the same to promote a healthy work / personal life relationship.
- Keep staff well informed – of up and coming meetings and events so that they are able to plan ahead and balance their workload with other demands. Use effective communication e.g. staff noticeboards, email, school intranet page, memos etc.
- Provide, where possible, – suitable areas and/or staff rooms where staff can relax during breaks or do preparatory work during non-class contact time.
- Promote healthy lifestyle choices – provide staff with a dedicated health or wellbeing noticeboard that can be used to promote healthy eating, exercise, relaxation techniques, stress busting activities. Staff could be encouraged to share what works for them.
- Encourage the creation of a staff welfare group – members of the group take on the job of promoting wellbeing amongst staff; the group can be used as a vehicle to voice staff concerns on issues of welfare/wellbeing; members get involved in organising events to encourage increased wellbeing e.g. walks at lunchtime; members can take responsibility for updating staff noticeboards etc.
- Manage meetings more effectively – try to ensure that meetings do not overrun and cause a workload imbalance. Think about setting a strict start and finish time, limit time on agenda items, stick to a strict agenda and keep the focus to ensure there is no overrun.
- Think about consultation or skills analysis – with staff and/ or departmental heads to identify training needs. An example of training could be time management which could not only help staff to work more effectively but could also free up time.
Positive Outcomes
- A good work/life balance reduces stress of staff.
- Can help to reduce absence rates amongst staff.
- Improves the health and wellbeing of staff.
- Improves staff motivation and morale.
- Improves relationships between management and staff.
- Improves the teaching effectiveness of staff.
Associated Links
