The New Normal of Flexible Work

The pandemic has significantly reshaped our work habits, and it’s clear that flexible work arrangements are here to stay. According to a survey by Robert Half, over 70% of employees prefer flexible work options. This isn’t just about flexibility for its own sake; employees want to recalibrate their work-life balance, leading to what has been termed the Great Reevaluation, where life takes precedence.

Currently, millions of employees work from home part of the week, sharing office spaces with pets and children. While this can bring joy, it also introduces interruptions and blurs the boundary between work and home life. With laptops constantly in use, the traditional 9-to-5 workday feels outdated. A study by Accenture found that 83% of workers prefer a hybrid model, enjoying the flexibility and potential for a better work-life balance.

However, achieving this balance requires companies to adopt supportive practices and policies. Hybrid work offers numerous benefits, such as geographic freedom and reduced transportation costs, but also presents challenges. Without employer support, maintaining work-life balance can be difficult. For instance, burnout is a significant issue—42% of respondents in a Deloitte survey of 1,000 full-time U.S. professionals said they left a job due to burnout, which also impacts morale and productivity.

To foster a healthy company culture, employers must actively protect work-life balance, extending beyond basic HR benefits to include mental health, mindfulness, and food-related perks. This support can boost morale, productivity, and reduce turnover.

How Work-Life Balance Shapes Company Culture

Company culture is crucial when employees consider job opportunities. A Glassdoor survey revealed that 77% of job-seekers consider company culture before applying, and 65% of employees stay in a job because of it. A cornerstone of strong company culture is healthy work-life balance. Companies that promote this balance understand that work is just one part of a fulfilling life. Encouraging time with family and friends and other activities outside the office boosts employee satisfaction and creativity.

Modern companies are increasingly recognising the importance of work-life balance. For example, Getaway House, a home rental startup, provides employees with 12 “Getadays” per year to disconnect and recharge, in addition to generous PTO. This practice has strengthened their company environment (Gartner).

6 Strategies to Promote Work-Life Balance

To promote true work-life balance, companies must look beyond traditional benefits. Here are some ideas for enhancing company culture in a hybrid work environment:

  1. Extend Remote Work Stipends Help employees create comfortable home workspaces by providing stipends for desks, chairs, monitors, and reliable WiFi. This support can cater to individual needs, such as noise-cancelling headphones for new parents or standing desks for better posture.
  2. Implement Walking Meetings Studies show that 30 minutes of outdoor time can boost productivity by nearly 50% (Zoom). Regular walking meetings can help employees get their daily dose of vitamin D and add gentle movement to their day, combating Zoom fatigue.
  3. Lean into Learning and Development LinkedIn dedicates a day per month to employee well-being, encouraging staff to innovate and invest in their careers. Offering career planning sessions or interesting talks can help employees grow their skills and recharge, leading to a happier and more productive workforce (Robert Half).
  4. Offer Optional Activities to Boost Morale Virtual happy hours, workout classes, and book clubs are fun ways to connect with colleagues, but should remain optional. Encourage employees to engage in activities that suit their preferences, such as bike rides or dog walks, and use shared Slack channels for casual interaction without overloading calendars.
  5. Establish Meeting-Free Days With two-thirds of workers losing valuable time to meetings each week, establishing meeting-free days can improve productivity and reduce burnout (Zoom). Bundling meetings together allows employees to focus on deep work without interruption.
  6. Make Time for Employee Appreciation Celebrate your employees as people, not just for their work. Regularly recognise and appreciate staff with thoughtful gestures like thank you notes, special days off, and opportunities for more “me-time.” This can significantly boost morale and productivity (Hubstaff).

Boost Company Morale with Food-Based Benefits

Providing meals can ease the stress of meal prep and planning, enhancing work-life balance. Many companies are adding food-based perks to their benefits packages. For instance, Q Bio, a health management platform, found that offering meal delivery services like Ordit greatly improved employee satisfaction during the pandemic.

Incorporating food-based benefits in HR packages can increase work-life balance and reduce burnout. A survey of over 1,000 full-time office workers found that 56% were happy with their job, but this number rose to 67% among those with access to free food (Robert Half). Offering meals can significantly improve employee satisfaction and productivity.

With Ordit, companies can provide employees with access to a wide range of restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery markets. This not only ensures employees are well-fed but also allows them to step away from their work, recharge, and return more focused.

Explore how Ordit can enhance your company culture with food-based benefits. Contact us for more tips on supporting your team or download our ebook on improving company culture through food delivery.