Mon Jan 09 2023 19:15:03 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) - QikTruck Media
As businesses strive to better align the needs of their customers with the expectations of their employees, the debate over the value of work-life balance in business continues to be a hot topic. In a world of 24/7 working and digital demands, how do we ensure that we’re performing to the best of our abilities without stretching our work lives into our personal lives? This article will explore how the debate over work-life balance affects those in the business landscape, particularly in South Africa.
The concept of work-life balance is simple – finding a balance between professional and personal responsibilities to lead an overall happy, fulfilling and successful life. It doesn’t mean splitting our time evenly between work and other aspects of our lives, because different people will have different needs at different times. It’s about achieving an equilibrium that works for us individually and being able to ensure that we are putting in the right amount of effort without sacrificing too much of either.
Unfortunately, work-life balance isn’t viewed as a priority for many businesses and theSouth African landscape is no exception. In a culture where financial success is lauded, those who put in more hours, take fewer breaks and spend longer at the office are seen to be more successful and are more likely to receive promotions and bonuses. This means that employees who take the time to invest in their own wellbeing and life outside of work can be seen as ‘slacking off’ or even be fired for not meeting expectations.
These issues are particularly discouraging for those who are self-employed or work in the gig economy, as the threat of not being able to find enough work can make them feel they must take on more jobs or longer hours. This is a difficult cycle to break, as it can be hard to switch off or take the time to prioritize wellbeing.
The pace of modern life and the rise of digital technology can make it difficult to achieve the optimal work-life balance. This is especially true in South Africa, where the hours are long, the demands are many and the environment can be hostile towards healthy boundaries. It can also be hard to carve out time for personal aspirations and life goals when many people are working in survival mode and simply trying to make ends meet.
Finding the right amount of balance may also be difficult for those working in highlypaced jobs such as customer service, where customer satisfaction is paramount. They often need to work for long periods of time and cannot easily take time out for themselves.
Investing in work-life balance is beneficial for both employees and employers in South Africa. Those who are better able to manage their work lives are likely to be more productive, get more done and deliver better results.
For employers, having employees who maintain a healthy work-life balance can help to curb absences due to illness, reduce stress and help to create an attractive work environment for potential employees, which in turn may result in better retention.
For employees, investing in their own wellbeing can have both psychological and physical benefits, ranging from feeling more motivated and energized to sleeping better and being more physically active.
At QikTruck we work to ensure that businesses maintain a healthy work-life balance. Our comprehensive range of services includes the hiring of drivers, trains, and trucks, so that businesses can be assured they have the capabilities they need to keep up with their demands. We also understand that investing in the welfare of employees and their families is an important part of running a successful business, so we will work with clients to ensure that their staff have the support they need to achieve a healthy balance.
Our team of professional staff, trained drivers, and experienced drivers are all committed to providing high-quality service in a timely manner, so that our clients can focus on the ultimate goal of their businesses - success. With reliable, friendly and cost-effective support from QikTruck, businesses in South Africa can benefit from a supported and productive workforce.
While work-life balance may be a challenging concept to tackle in the face of digital demands and tight deadlines, it is still important to find an equilibrium which works for employees and businesses in South Africa. Whether it’s through managing workloads or investing in bettering the wellbeing of staff, investing in work-life balance can have huge benefits both in the present and long term. Ultimately, it is up to employers to create supportive and nurturing working environments, where the staff are taken care of and the importance of work-life balance is emphasized.
QikTruck can offer businesses in South Africa the help and support needed to achieve this goal. We can provide the means to managing transportation requirements efficiently and effectively, allowing businesses to focus on other aspects of their operations and create a culture of wellbeing and balance. In turn, businesses can benefit from a happier, more productive and successful workforce.