6 Tips for Maintaining a Good Work-Life Balance When Hybrid Working

You’ve probably heard the term “work-life balance” more times than you can count within the last year. As more and more people demand flexibility from their employers, companies have started to reposition themselves as being employee-centric, with a big focus on work-life balance in order to attract and retain top talent. But what exactly does this buzzword mean?

Put simply, having a good work-life balance means you have a healthy mix of work and personal time. Companies who boast that they offer their employees a good work-life balance appreciate that work isn’t the priority at all times – people have hobbies, families and other commitments outside of the workplace.

While this is becoming more and more recognized by companies operating in various industries, it hasn't always been this way. Some businesses used to expect their employees to put work above everything else. In fact, some companies still operate this way. But as employers have started to realize that a healthy balance can do great things for performance and employee wellbeing, more businesses are implementing this way of thinking.

The key to success

Work-life balance sounds great, but how do you make sure you have it when you work in a hybrid role? It isn’t always as straightforward as you might think.

Hybrid roles see employees working some days at home and some days in the office each week. This is a great way for you to have the freedom and flexibility of working from home, but still allows you to be part of a team and meet your colleagues face to face.

However, people working from home can easily fall into the trap of working well past their working hours simply because there’s no office to get up and leave, which can easily result in burnout. The key to achieving a good work-life balance is to have good boundaries.

Struggling with work-life balance

If you’re struggling with work-life balance, then sit down and make a list of what’s important to you. This could be hobbies, or being free at a specific time to be with your family. Once you’ve done this, you can map out your work commitments and build a plan that works for both work and home.

By creating a schedule ahead of time, you’re much more likely to close your laptop and stop working when you’re due to finish instead of carrying on for hours on end. If you’re likely to forget, then set reminders in your calendar so that you get notified when it’s time to leave your desk.

Other top tips for work-life balance include:

1. Eat in a separate place to your workspace
2. Turn your work phone off at the end of your day
3. Make sure to take a lunch break at home as well as in the office
4. Set clear boundaries with any family members or housemates so that you’re not interrupted
5. Set a schedule each day and stick to it

To sum up

If you’re lucky enough to work a hybrid role, do your best to take advantage of the perks. On the days you work from home, make the most of not having to commute. Schedule in hobbies, time with your family, walks, etc. to make sure you’re giving attention to your personal life and needs. That way, when you’re in the office, you’ll be better able to give meetings and face-to-face time your full attention.