Numerous studies point to the link between work-family balance, increased productivity, and profits. Those higher retention rates, the bank believes, contributed to a 55 percent profit gain over two years. The fact is that, no matter how we try to convince ourselves otherwise, employees bring all of their personal life into the office every day. Human beings are not automatons who can click a switch and suddenly shut down a part of their memory or their personality. For most people, what goes on outside of the workplace is their real life and real job.
Work is a means to earn the income needed to support that real life.
In my time as a manager, I've often had employees walk into my office with mental blocks about solving a business or technical problem. Once we have identified and worked that personal issue through, the creative block miraculously disappears. Their loyalty to the company is strengthened. And, in my experience, if you can manage to boost employee creativity by 1 percent, you'll see a 5 percent to 10 percent increase in sales. Tearing down the barriers between work and family require managers to lead by example.