Last updated on Jul 2, 2024

Your employee is feeling overwhelmed with work-life balance. How can you support their career growth?

When your employee is grappling with maintaining a healthy work-life balance, it can adversely affect their career growth. As a manager, you play a pivotal role in helping them navigate these challenges. By understanding their struggles and providing the right support, you can help them thrive both professionally and personally. This article will explore how you can assist your employee in managing work-life balance and simultaneously support their career development.

1 Listen Actively

Active listening is the first step toward supporting an employee who is feeling overwhelmed. Engage in one-on-one conversations where you listen more than you speak, creating a safe space for them to express their concerns. By understanding the specific issues impacting their work-life balance, you can identify tailored solutions that address their unique situation. This empathetic approach not only builds trust but also provides you with the insights needed to help them manage their workload effectively.

Add your perspective

Robert Ferrari

Unlocking Excellence in Leadership and Life | 8x LinkedIn Top Voice | Certified High Performance Coach | Master's in Leadership | Senior Professional in HR | Retired U.S. Navy Master Chief
Report contribution
1. Listen actively: Understand their specific challenges and aspirations. 2. Flexible work options: Offer remote or flexible hours if possible. 3. Prioritize tasks: Help them focus on high-impact work aligned with their goals. 4. Mentorship: Connect them with experienced colleagues for guidance. 5. Skill development: Provide training that fits their schedule and career path. 6. Clear boundaries: Encourage setting work limits to prevent burnout. 7. Regular check-ins: Monitor progress and adjust support as needed. 8. Promote self-care: Emphasize the importance of personal time and health. 9. Lead by example: Model a healthy work-life balance yourself.

Like
Aakanksha Tangri

Founder, Re:Set - Helping you build resilient and productive teams | Forbes 30 Under 30 | Young Leaders Circle, Milken Institute | Visiting Fellow, Observer Research Foundation
Report contribution
Too often we’re rigid about working hours and schedules. A great way to help them achieve work-life balance is by focusing on productivity rather than hours. It’s essential to help employees identify their professional goals as well as personal ones. If your employees are keen on taking up a leadership role, allocate dedicated time to mentor them. In a creative job, you can help them improve their work-life balance by allowing them to take up time for hobbies, learning new things, or volunteering to help them think out of the box and grow. Effective time management and organization skills to strike a balance between their personal and professional lives can help them put important tasks first, and ask for help when needed.

Like
Aneelkumar(Aneel) Savalagi

Technology Leadership | GCC Leader | Speaker | Architecture, Engineering & Ops | Retail | Data, Cloud, Infrastructure, Platform, DevOps & Info Security | AI, Automation | Business & Product Management | MBA-IT | ISMS LA
Report contribution
Supporting an employee's career growth while helping them achieve a better work-life balance involves a multi-faceted approach: Schedule regular check-ins to discuss their progress, provide feedback, and adjust their workload or goals as needed. Have a one-on-one conversation to understand their concerns and challenges. Listen actively and empathetically to their needs.

Like

2 Flexible Scheduling

Consider implementing flexible scheduling options for your team. Flexibility in work hours or the possibility of remote work can make a significant difference for employees struggling to juggle personal responsibilities with professional demands. By accommodating their needs, you're showing that you value their well-being, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and loyalty. Remember, a flexible approach often results in a more engaged and productive employee.

Add your perspective

Aneelkumar(Aneel) Savalagi

Technology Leadership | GCC Leader | Speaker | Architecture, Engineering & Ops | Retail | Data, Cloud, Infrastructure, Platform, DevOps & Info Security | AI, Automation | Business & Product Management | MBA-IT | ISMS LA
Report contribution
Offer flexible working hours or remote work options if possible. This can help them manage their personal and professional responsibilities better.

Like

3 Prioritize Tasks

Help your employee prioritize tasks by distinguishing between urgent and important work. Encourage them to focus on high-impact activities that align with their career goals and the company's objectives. This strategy not only streamlines their workload but also ensures that they're making meaningful contributions. By teaching them effective prioritization techniques, you're equipping them with skills that will serve their career growth in the long run.

Add your perspective

Aneelkumar(Aneel) Savalagi

Technology Leadership | GCC Leader | Speaker | Architecture, Engineering & Ops | Retail | Data, Cloud, Infrastructure, Platform, DevOps & Info Security | AI, Automation | Business & Product Management | MBA-IT | ISMS LA
Report contribution
Help them prioritize their tasks to focus on high-impact activities. Provide guidance on what can be delegated or postponed.

Like

4 Professional Development

Investing in your employee's professional development is crucial. Offer opportunities for them to acquire new skills or enhance existing ones, whether through workshops, courses, or mentorship programs. Ensure that these opportunities are flexible and considerate of their current work-life balance challenges. Personal growth is a key motivator, and by facilitating it, you help your employee see a future within the company that's worth striving for.

Add your perspective

5 Delegate Effectively

Delegation is not just about offloading tasks; it's about empowering your team members. Teach your employee how to delegate effectively to others when appropriate. This not only lightens their workload but also helps them develop leadership skills. Ensure they understand that delegating is not a sign of weakness but a strategic approach to teamwork and productivity that can enhance their career trajectory.

Add your perspective

6 Support Networks

Encourage your employee to build a support network within the workplace. This can include connecting them with peers or mentors who can provide guidance and share strategies for managing work-life balance. A strong support system can make a significant difference in an employee's ability to cope with stress and can contribute to a more inclusive and collaborative work environment. When employees feel supported by their colleagues, they're more likely to engage fully and grow within their roles.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Your employee is feeling overwhelmed with work-life balance. How can you support their career growth?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen Actively

2 Flexible Scheduling

3 Prioritize Tasks

4 Professional Development

5 Delegate Effectively

6 Support Networks

7 Here’s what else to consider

People Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on People Management

More relevant reading

Your employee is feeling overwhelmed with work-life balance. How can you support their career growth?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen Actively

2 Flexible Scheduling

3 Prioritize Tasks

4 Professional Development

5 Delegate Effectively

6 Support Networks

7 Here’s what else to consider

People Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills