If you always find yourself working late, perhaps it's time for you to stop, think and ask yourself a few questions... Is it because you really have too much work to do or do you just do not know how to manage your time properly? Is the company lacking in good management practices? Poor human resources management? Inefficient work processes?
Well, working late once in a while is normal. For example, during the months of company audits, there are times that I need to stay back and work with the auditors. However, if work-late occurs too frequently, it can have negative effects on your productivity, family relationships and even personal health.
In a dynamic and fast-paced society we're living in today, maintaining a work-life balance can be challenging. To overcome this problem, companies should create a flexible work environment to help their staffs manage the demands of works and personal lives.
That's why we're now starting to see some companies implementing flexible work-life programs that include variable working hours, telecommuting, part-time employment, plus other options such as a split of their staffs times between office and home work.
Many employers are starting to realize that high performance and productivity are sustainable only if people have a healthy work-life balance. In order to have a work-life harmony, you must also learn to develop healthy work habits and strive for higher productivity and performance.
If you're a manager or employer, make sure your company invest significantly in training to improve productivity. Adopt outcome-oriented performance management criteria in your appraisals that focus on work performance rather than number of hours spent in the office. Only then you're able to break the work-late habits.
Therefore, productivity and good time management are keys to eradicating the work-late pitfal.
Also, technological advances are helping a great deal for those who are skilled at using technology to work smart rather than hard. Technology is beginning to change the way people think about how, when and where work needs to be done.
