For a lot of people, work takes up the majority of their time, resulting in more time spent in the work space than anywhere else. However the importance of a work-life balance is becoming increasingly more important. Balance is, after all, an important part of being productive. So how does quality of life influence productivity in the workspace, and what can businesses do to allow for that balance?

Adopting a ‘Quality of Life’ culture in the workplace has many benefits, such as an increase in productivity, attention and motivation amongst employees and a decrease in stress and therefore health expenses, absenteeism and turnover rates.

It is vital to encourage a ‘Quality of Life’ culture in the work place, here are some tips on how to get it right:

1. Communicate

It’s important to maintain an open communication channel within the business, in order to accurately assess your employees’ needs. One-on-one interviews and surveys can be effective ways to determine what the most important ‘Quality of Life’ factors are amongst your employees.

2. Encourage a healthy lifestyle, and access to exercise

Health and exercise play a big part in the ‘Quality of Life’ in the workplace, and they are two of the most effective ways of reducing stress. This can come in the form of beneficial gym memberships, personalised support, fitness and healthy lifestyle apps, and many more.

3. Encourage short breaks throughout the day

It’s important to remember that your employees’ mental health is as important as their physical health. The human body was certainly not made to sit at a desk in front of a screen for eight hours, and therefore taking short breaks is important to the productivity and quality of work produced.

4. Allow schedule flexibility

Giving your employees the option to work whenever and wherever they want helps them to maintain a good work-life balance and work flexibility. However, it is only effective when each team member is dedicated to giving 100% of themselves to their job. Implementing flexible working hours does allow for employees to avoid traffic, navigate their life around family and kids, take care of personal issues and ultimately work when its more productive for them.

5. Encourage team building exercises

Team building exercises help to grow a sense of team work and support within the office. A team that works better together will ultimately be more productive.

The above suggestions are just a few of the many ways to increase the quality of life within your workplace, and ultimately you need to optimise the options that are the best fit for your company.