Family-Friendly Company Policies: Benefits for Staff and Employers

In recent years, one concept has appeared more and more often in the way organisations talk about themselves: the "family-friendly" or "work-life-friendly" company. But what does this actually mean, and how does it translate into employees' everyday lives?

Work-life-friendly companies are organisations that adopt policies and practices encouraging a healthy balance between employees' work and personal lives. They pay closer attention to people's needs and responsibilities outside working hours.

Policies and practices of work-life-friendly companies

The first policy such organisations typically adopt is flexible working. This means giving employees a more flexible schedule so they can adjust their working hours to their personal needs. Options may include working from home, reduced hours or flexitime, allowing people to look after their children or handle other personal responsibilities.

Work-life-friendly companies also offer more generous leave policies. Employees may be entitled to extra days off for important life events, such as a wedding or the birth of a child, or even to take a sabbatical.

Another key element is promoting health and a balanced lifestyle. These companies may organise sports activities within the organisation or offer discounts on gym memberships and healthy food. They also encourage regular breaks during the working day to prevent overload and maintain optimal levels of energy and focus.

Benefits for employees and the company

Adopting policies and practices that support employees' personal lives brings many benefits, both for the employees themselves and for the company. According to a study by the research firm Harris Poll, 70% of employees said a flexible work schedule would influence their decision to stay with or join an organisation. Work-life-friendly companies can therefore attract and retain valuable people who bring greater productivity and performance.

These policies and practices also lead to higher employee satisfaction and wellbeing. A study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that employees who enjoy a good work-life balance report being more satisfied and more engaged in their work, and are less prone to burnout and stress.

Recommended reading

If you would like to learn more about what makes a company work-life-friendly, we recommend the following books:

1. The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
2. Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington
3. The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work by Shawn Achor

Each of these books offers valuable insights into how companies can create a supportive, balanced work environment in which employees can grow and perform at their best.

Conclusion

Work-life-friendly policies and practices are becoming increasingly important at a time when balancing work and personal life is a growing priority. Implementing these measures benefits both employees, who feel happier and more balanced, and the company, which gains a motivated, high-performing team. It is important that more and more organisations adopt such policies and, in doing so, show that they genuinely care about the wellbeing of their people.