Event reviews
Article Type: Resources From: Strategic HR Review, Volume 12, Issue 1
Happy Homes Productive Workplaces, London, UK, 28 June 2012
Justine Devenney OnePlusOne head of Policy and Dissemination.
What role do employers have to play in supporting employees’ home lives?This is one of the questions posed by new research from relationships research charity OnePlusOne and the work-life balance charity Working Families.
This new research “Happy Homes Productive Workplaces” was presented at an event in June hosted by Citi. Based on a survey of over 2,000 employees, the research found that high levels of relationship quality are associated with higher work engagement, and vice versa, thus challenging the common assumption that work and home are inevitably in conflict.
Beyond simply making the case for flexible working the research found that strong family relationships actually make for better employee productivity and engagement.
Following are the key findings from the research:
There is a cycle effect – where work pressures affect relationship quality and relationship quality affects work engagement.
The impact of work stress on home life is stronger than the impact of home stress on work engagement.
Women are more engaged at work than men.
Parents are no less engaged at work than non-parents.
The research launch was followed by a lively panel debate between representatives from Citi, AXA, National Grid and Byrne Dean. Key points arising from the discussion were “how” to work flexibly and better manage the blurring of boundaries between work and home: How employers invest in employee well-being early rather than waiting for a crisis. Understanding relationship quality as driver of productivity whilst asking how line managers get well-being issues into everyday conversations. How to support better mental health in the work place at a time when there is anxiety over job security.
Research continues to next phase
The next stage of the Happy Homes Productive Workplaces project is to collate the business case for employers supporting employee relationships,and to develop and trial policies and procedures for employers to put in place.
As part of Phase Two of the “Happy Homes Productive Workplaces”project, OnePlusOne is inviting interested employers to join its Early Action on Relationship Support (EARs) Alliance, trialling new and innovative ways of offering relationship support through employers.
If you would like to know more about how your organization can take part please contact Justine Devenney, head of Policy at OnePlusOne for more information on jd@oneplusone.org.uk.
For more information
A full research report and special edition report are available to download from either OnePlusOne or Working Families on: www.oneplusone.org.uk/professionals/services/partnerships/happy-homes-productive-workplaces-research-launch/or www.workingfamilies.org.uk/articles/new-thinking/happy-homes-productive-workplaces
