Topic of the month for July - We’re talking about the importance of a work/life balance, and how, with today’s hectic lifestyle the majority of people are finding the balance tipping the wrong way!

Today’s culture seems to have more to do, in a lesser amount of time with the pressure to do it better, and this isn’t just within the workplace but also at home too!! How can this culture change OR what needs to give in order for people to get some balance back?

Businesses are being persuaded to address the work/life balance issue and the ones that have, have said it’s beneficial, and can actually lead to cost savings, improved motivation and higher productivity.

Research has shown that the majority of employees would welcome a flexible working environment, but there are still people who are reluctant to the idea due to the fact that it could have a detrimental effect on their career and if they are going to be working less hours, who will be taking on the workload?

We’ll be blogging about this throughout the month, so let us know your views and opinions on your work/life balance!

This month’s topic focuses on relocation and advice on what employers should be doing in terms of relocation packages etc. As the market has become tougher, more and more people are looking further a field for their next role and therefore businesses may need to start thinking about how they can accommodate new employees that are on the move due to work. You may already have a relocation policy or be looking at ways to attract top-level talent that may live further a field so we have put together a few points that you need to consider when thinking about relocation.

Policy reflecting company culture
When a company considers developing or revising a relocation policy, one thing to consider is whether the policy reflects the company culture and environment, as well as, what relocation means to the new employee. A company’s relocation policy should be viewed as a statement about its culture. If the company is supportive of its people, and strives to create an environment where their people can be successful and have a positive attitude, then the relocation policy should reflect that accordingly.

Policies don’t have to be pricey
Relocation policies aren’t just for large corporates and they don’t have to be costly. Many professionals locating need local help and support with aspects such as housing and schools etc so being there to offer advice on subjects such as places to live, desirable schools and local knowledge can be invaluable.

A tool you can use
Relocation is becoming more of a recruiting and retention tool and there are many different levels of support you can give a relocating employee, from offering helpful local knowledge to covering the complete costs for the employee and their family. As we said above, the relocation package offered should be a reflection of your company’s culture and so if you’re a small, friendly agency then giving advice and time for a employee to settle in can often be more than offering financial support.