Long story short: Make 2023 the year you attain work-life balance

January 6, 2023 11:31 AM

Employees returned to work this week, hopefully refreshed from some time off. Use the momentum of the new year to encourage a more restful and balanced approach to work in 2023.

The past several years have been challenging for everyone in the workforce, and the stress is taking its toll: a November survey by Aflac found that 59% of employees were struggling with moderate levels of burnout, up from 52% in 2021. Burnout can lead to more serious mental health issues, as well as high rates of attrition.

Make this the year you manage work differently: in this week's top stories, executives from Aflac, Flexjobs and Visier share their best tips for supporting workplace well-being. Whether it's encouraging employees to take their PTO throughout the year, and then leaving them alone when they do, we all deserve a break. Employees will come back to work more productive and loyal when they feel like their employer supports them outside of work, too.

Check out all of the latest advice on attaining work-life balance this year. What's one resolution you can make for 2023 that will help you and your employees combat burnout and work smarter?

Aflac's CHRO leads by example to encourage work-life balance

For remote and hybrid workers, the line between work and home time has become so blurred, it can seem like one in the same. But Aflac's CHRO, Matthew Owenby, is taking steps to ensure his employees prioritize work-life balance, and he practices those habits, too.

"If you're surrounded by work all the time, at least from my perspective, it can be very troubling," says Owenby. "Allow people that separation between work and their life, and in fact, insist upon it. Insist upon people taking time off — take your PTO, take your mental wellness day, take that break."

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Aflac's CHRO leads by example to encourage work-life balance

A look at the mental health stigmas faced by Asian Americans

Only 21% of Asian adults with a mental illness received care in 2020, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. While concerning, this data point isn't surprising given the cultural divides between western and eastern societies, says Adora Du, founder of FAUNA Mental Health, a non-profit dedicated to providing written resources on mental health support for Asian and BIPOC communities.

Du is Chinese-American, and has sought mental health help in the past. With a background in mental health research and clinical work, she knows firsthand how the system fails Americans like her. She spoke with associate editor Deanna Cuadra on how providers can bridge these gaps, and what employers should know about cultural differences when offering support.

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A look at the mental health stigmas faced by Asian Americans

Work-life balance matters to employees — how to find out if it matters to a company

When it comes to researching a company's ability to walk the walk around work-life balance and a culture that supports mental well-being, Toni Frana, career services manager at job-search site FlexJobs, talked to editor Lee Hafner about specific qualities employees should look for, the right questions to ask, and how employers can set themselves apart to engage talent.

"A question I love is, 'What would a typical work week look like,'" Frana says. "Another question to ask is, 'What are some typical perks associated with this job? With this company?' If a company is offering benefits that you can do on your own, but they don't offer work flexibility, it may be a warning sign that they're not as committed to work-life balance as you think."

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Work-life balance matters to employees — how to find out if it matters to a company

40% of employees didn't take time off in 2022. How employers can encourage PTO to avoid burnout

Only 60% of full-time employees took any PTO in 2022, according to a data study of 17 million anonymous employee records conducted by employee insights platform Visier. The remaining 40% took no time off at all, signaling the need for employers to take a more active role in ensuring that their workforce takes the time away they need.

While employees may point the finger at office culture that encourages work over personal time, Visier's data found that stigma around taking time off also plays a large role. Employers should lead by example and be aware of low PTO utilization before unused days add up. An expert from Visier shared a few ways to encourage better policies around PTO.

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40% of employees didn't take time off in 2022. How employers can encourage PTO to avoid burnout