NEWS
Work-life balance offers boost to business productivity
There is a growing body of evidence which asserts, that a good work-life balance and a strong emphasis on workplace wellness offers a boost to business productivity.
It is an approach that has been enthusiastically championed by a number of employers across the UK however, there is still work to be done. During early October the issue was highlighted within National Work Life Balance Week and on November 6, the spotlight will be shone on the rising levels of work-related illness when the country marks National Stress Awareness Day 2019.
Progressive City
In February this year it was revealed that Liverpool was one of the best places to live and work in the UK in a survey by one of the UK’s biggest job sites, CV-Library. It found that 66.7% of people in Liverpool were happy with their jobs and their lives.
It also revealed that two-thirds of workers in the city are prepared to leave their job if the work-life balance is wrong for them, with 98.3% placing it high on their own agendas.
In recent years Liverpool has made an effort to sell itself as one of the best places in the country to live and work. It offers lower living costs than other comparative cities and offers a wealth of leisure opportunities
A number of office developments now use it as a selling point when looking to attract occupiers, with Liverpool’s No 4 St Paul’s Square one of the most pro-active locations.
Glasgow came top of the work-life balance league table with 77.8% of people in the city expressing their content. This was followed by Nottingham (71.1%), Sheffield (70.6%), Liverpool (66.7%), Bristol (65.9%), Southampton (63.9%), London (63.8%), Leeds (63%), Cardiff (62.5%) and Manchester (54.9%).
Liverpool also came second in the table showing the number of workers who have actually left their jobs due to being unhappy with their work-life balance.
Work culture
Owned by Aberdeen Standard Investments, No 4 St Paul’s Square not only offers one of the highest quality office space in the city, it has also adopted an environment where people can thrive and feel valued.
It is home to a number of professional services tenants who themselves have fostered a progressive work culture. In particular, real estate consultancy firm CBRE who recently implemented their ‘WorkWell’ scheme, which dedicated an entire month to raising awareness on the importance of wellness in the workplace.
The initiative was comprised of six different elements, these being: WorkWell Active; Mind; Healthy; Digital; Dynamic; Space. All with the view to creating a workforce that is happier, healthier, more engaged, more productive and has access to a greater work-life balance.
The latest research backs this approach. New empirical findings, conducted by YouGov for Family Friendly Working Scotland (to mark the National Work Life Week), found 90% of employers said flexible working had a positive effect on their businesses.
Wellness day
Aberdeen takes its responsibilities as a landlord seriously when it comes to creating the right environment and held a wellness day earlier this year. The event saw experts in exercise, stress management and nutrition all gather under one roof to offer free guidance, advice and demonstrations to workers and executives.
And one of the buildings newest tenants, St Paul’s Social, has created a dynamic social space on the ground floor where people can meet, network or simply relax during breaks or in the evenings.
CBRE is joint agent for No 4 St Paul’s along with Worthington Owen and Liverpool director Neil Kirkham, said:
“The accommodation here is top quality but commercial tenants today seek much more.
We believe we have created one of the most progressive working environments in the North West here in the heart of Liverpool’s business district. It is a place where people feel welcome and valued and love coming to work.”