Balancing Work and Life: Supporting a Healthy, Happy Team

Balancing work and life has been a recurring problem in this generation. What used to be clear office hours are now blurred by technology, where emails, messages, and calls often spill into nights and weekends.

Read: 5 Ways Work-Life Balance Boost Accountants’ Productivity 

In fact, a 2023 Gallup survey showed that 44% of employees worldwide feel daily stress at work, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized burnout as a workplace issue caused by chronic stress. These numbers prove that finding balance is a major issue that this generation has been going through. 

And as a leader, it’s becoming a problem that needs to be solved, not only to protect the people we work with but also to create a workplace where people can do their best work without compromising their well-being. 

Why Work-Life Balance Matters More Than Ever?

Work-life balance is an important matter to everyone because it helps protect their mental and physical health, thereby preventing burnout, stress and long term conditions such as heart disease. It also creates a clear line between work and personal life, which is necessary for overall well-being. 

On top of that, one of my observations over the years is that when companies ignore work-life balance, it usually results in employees feeling dissatisfied. 

That dissatisfaction often grows into burnout and eventually leads to higher turnover. And when people leave, it does not only affect business continuity, but it also increases hiring costs. 

Defining Work-Life Balance in Practical Terms

Work-life balance can mean different things depending on the person, but at its core, it’s about managing expectations without sacrificing personal well-being. 

In practical terms, this means being able to deliver and even exceed what is required at work, while still having time and energy to pursue your own personal goals. Balance is not about working less, but about working smarter so that your professional life and personal life don’t compete with each other. 

A healthy balance in everyday life looks like accomplishing your priorities during office hours, and then looking forward to clocking out because you know you have something meaningful waiting for you.  

It doesn’t always have to be big or expensive — it could be as simple as reading a book, spending time with family, or just relaxing. What matters is that it improves your mood, helps you recharge, and reminds you that life is more than just work. 

Read Next: How our Company Prioritizes Work-Life Employee Growth and Well-being 

Balance a Culture that Values Well Being

Company culture may not always be easy to see, but its impact is powerful. A supportive culture is one where employees feel heard, valued, and guided clearly. 

From my perspective, a culture that truly values well-being means: 

• Listening to employees – Creating spaces like town halls or open discussions where concerns can be voiced openly. 

• Acting on feedback – Setting clear directions to avoid miscommunication and reduce stress. 

• Providing support – Having mechanisms in place so employees know they can reach out for help anytime. 

These practices at D&V Philippines gives our team the assurance that they are valued as individuals, not only as employees. Research from the National Institutes of Health also support this: Companies that invest in well-being often see higher productivity, lower absenteeism, and increased morale among employees. 

Common Barriers to Work-Life Balance

Even if companies encourage balance, employees often face their own challenges in making it work. From my observation, the biggest barriers usually include: 

• Lack of communication – Some employees hesitate to ask for help, either from the company or even from their own families. 

• Lack of reflection – Others get stuck in complaints without pausing to step back and make changes that could improve their situation. 

• Lack of confidence – Some are too demure to demand balance, often feeling guilty or worried that they’re not doing enough. 

These barriers are not always about company expectations alone — sometimes, it’s a mix of personal habits and how leaders set the tone. So as leaders, we have the role of guiding our teams, setting clear expectations, and showing that it’s possible to succeed at work without sacrificing personal well-being. 

Leadership’s Role in Promoting Work-Life Balance 

When the team sees how you set an example in practicing balance, they start to believe it’s possible for them, too. Leaders influence not only how work gets done but also how employees view their own well-being. 

From my own experience, two practices stand out: 

a. Doing it with excellence 

When you aim for excellence, you can expect that your team members will also follow how you lead. This builds trust and respect, making them value your opinion and take your advice seriously. Doing this will give them the confidence that their thoughts will be heard. 

b. Creating space for check- ins 

On another note, implementing structured and regular catch-ups is a good avenue to monitor both performance and well-being. At the same time, keeping yourself available for in-between discussions makes it easier to address issues before they grow bigger. 

Practical Ways Companies Can Support Balance

Policies are one thing, but what really matters is how companies and/or leaders create space for their people to rest, recharge, and feel valued. A few examples that your organization can do are: 

• Company events – These give employees a chance to step away from regular work, connect with colleagues, and showcase who they are beyond their roles. 

• Wellness activities – Programs like wellness weeks and activities that focus on both physical and mental health remind employees that their well-being is a priority. 

• Sustainability initiatives – Encouraging employees to take part in efforts that promote sustainability creates a sense of purpose that goes beyond work tasks. 

Another practical way companies can support balance within the team is through outsourcing. By partnering with a reliable outsourcing company like D&V Philippines, you can offload some of your tasks to alleviate the stress of your team and focus on higher-level tasks. 

The Role of Technology in Supporting Balance 

As leaders, we need to recognize that technology can either add to stress or help reduce it. The key is how we guide our teams in using it.  

This is why, whenever new tools are introduced, it becomes our responsibility to guide the transition and make sure the technology works for the team — not the other way around. 

Here are some of the tools we use to keep collaboration less complicated for our teams: 

• Microsoft Teams – Helps team members connect quickly and resolve questions without long email threads. 

• OneDrive – Makes real-time collaboration possible, avoiding the back-and-forth of sending large files. 

• MS Planner and other project tools – Organizes workflows so tasks are easier to track and manage. 

Supporting Balance Across Borders (Global Teams) 

Working with global clients brings many opportunities, but it also comes with challenges, especially when teams operate across different time zones. One of the biggest risks is that employees may feel the need to respond to client requests around the clock.  

This can blur boundaries and create unnecessary pressure, especially when people feel they must “make up” for time differences with extra effort. 

At D&V Philippines, we address this by tailoring our solutions to each client’s needs. From the very beginning, we clarify expectations around tasks, deadlines, and timelines.  

This allows us to assign the right resources, provide the proper guidance, and support both the client and our team. 

We also make it a point to monitor each engagement closely. This way, clients get the service quality they expect, while our team maintains their well-being without being stretched too thin. 

The Long-Term Business Value of a Balanced Workforce

Work-life balance may be a “soft issue” to some leaders or organizations, but as long as people remain the main capital of any business, it will always be a core driver of success.  

Employees who feel supported don’t just show up, they bring energy, focus, and commitment that push the company forward.  

On the other hand, neglecting balance can quickly lead to burnout, disengagement, and higher turnover, all of which hurt business continuity. 

In fact, the numbers from different reputable sources make this clear: 

1. Retention and continuity

Ignoring burnout comes with a real price. Research from Gallup shows that employees experiencing burnout are 2.6 times more likely to leave their job, and those who feel burnt out are also 63% more likely to take a sick day. 

This not only affects day-to-day operations but also diverts money and time toward recruitment and onboarding, rather than innovation and expansion.

2. Performance and profitability

According to Gallup's 2023 research, companies with high employee engagement experience 18% more productivity and 23% more profitability than those with low engagement. This isn't coincidental—it's a direct result of employees who are energized, focused, and committed to their work. 

And as leaders, this shows an important note: looking after your team isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s what helps your organization thrive. 

3. Talent attraction and reputation

People notice when a workplace genuinely cares about its staff. And investing in well-being helps attract top talent and signals that your organization values its people. 

According to the American Psychological Association, companies that prioritize well-being are 89% more likely to recommend their employer as a great place to work. That recommendation helps draw skilled professionals and strengthens your company’s reputation, both internally and externally. 

And for leaders, the message is simple: taking care of your team is good for morale, good for clients, and good for the growth of your organization. 

4. Employee engagement and motivation

When employees are engaged with the organization, they tend to go above and beyond to their task. They take initiative, collaborate effectively, and bring creative solutions to challenges, which strengthens retention and overall performance.  

A study shows employees with a higher engagement level are more likely  to  plan  to  stay  with  the  organization. The study also highlights that when people feel connected to their organization, they are more likely  contribute to its success  

For leaders, this only shows that creating an environment where employees feel supported and valued doesn’t just make them happy—it also makes the team better and the organization more successful. 

5. Client satisfaction and business outcomes

Another benefit of taking care of your people is that it creates a ripple effect. When employees feel valued within the organization, they carry that positivity into the way they serve clients. Happy, engaged employees are more likely to provide better service to clients. 

Harvard Business Review highlights this connection, emphasizing that an organization’s employee experience (EX) is directly tied to its customer experience (CX)—demonstrating that when employees feel valued and supported, it often translates into stronger customer satisfaction and loyalty, which supports revenue growth in the long run. 

The Bottom Line 

At the end of the day, creating a happy and productive workplace starts with understanding that “happy” can mean different things to different people. What matters most is ensuring alignment between the goals of the organization and the needs of the team through open communication.  

Work with a well-rounded team 

Are you looking for a competitive and well-rounded team of accountants who can assist you with your accounting duties?   

Consider D&V Philippines. We are committed to being an employer of choice—championing employee well-being (physical, mental, financial, and social) while serving as a trusted partner for clients in accessing top talent and driving business growth.

To make this possible, we regularly provide wellness activities and the right support, including access to a physician for mental health concerns, so our people stay healthy, engaged, and motivated. Schedule a free consultation with us today to know more about the ways we support our employees so they can provide exceptional services to you.  You may also download our primer Employees to Partners to know how we invest in our people’s development. 

— 'In collaboration of Angelica Freal Garcia, a content specialist at D&V Philippines'