•retention of quality staff
•being able to attract quality staff
•higher productivity
•happier workplaces
•more motivated staff
•a closer relationship between staff and management

Suggestions for work-life balance initiatives raised by employers included:

•Teaching employees life skills
•Third party support (coaching & mentoring) for smaller businesses

Work-life balance initiatives that employees were most interested in included:

•Stress management programmes
•Counselling

John Groom offers a range services which address these issues

NZ Work-Life Balance project

In late 2003 the NZ Government initiated the Work-Life Balance project.

In a press release describing the terms of reference for the Work-Life Balance project, Labour Minister Margaret Wilson said work-life balance policies and practices could help individuals to improve well-being and more fully use their potential both in work and outside of work. Work-life balance practices could also help employers to increase retention, reduce absenteeism and improve productivity and profitability.

The Governor General has stated that her government believes that work is but one dimension of living and should not crowd out and distort family life, recreation and personal development.

Partners in the Work-Life Balance project:On the EEO (Equal Employment Opportunities) Trust webpage 'Work and life - getting a better balance' they note: "Employers are increasingly recognising that they can improve the performance and well-being of their employees by helping them achieve a balance between work and their personal lives. The heartbeat of work life and personal life is the relationships we have with other people our friends, partner and workmates/colleagues". The EEO Trust has considerable resources and information about work-life balance, including the benefits for business.

The Mental Health Foundation is a firm advocate of work-life balance as a mechanism to maintain mental health. Leanne Luxford, their Working Well Division manager says: "Having flexible workplace practices and work-life balance policies are often indicators of a mentally healthy workplace".

In a press release titled 'Work-life balance - one size won't fit all', Business NZ Executive Director Anne Knowles says the Government is to be commended for getting state agencies working together on the issue of work-life balance. She warns: "However what's clear from many years of private sector experience is that such initiatives work only at the individual enterprise level".

David Chapman, Chief Executive of the NZ Institute of Management says: "The number one resource of any organization is the people and for people to be effective they must be motivated, well trained and happy. To be happy means balance in their lives. We are all aware that in the modern world cycle times have reduced with everything happening much faster. Staff, managers and families are subject to more and more pressure. This can impact negatively on work and on family life and the best companies should pay attention to the work/life balance of their people