(Updated June 27, 2023)
“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life,” Dolly Parton famously said when reflecting on her life.
The world has shifted so much in the past few years that it’s harder than ever to separate work and personal life. It’s clear that remote work trends have created opportunities for so many, but these forces also pose real challenges.
A whopping 77% of employees have experienced burnout at least once in their current jobs, according to a recent Deloitte survey on workplace burnout. That’s why so many job seekers are prioritizing the best companies for work-life balance during their job search.
For those facing burnout, you might comfort in a few inspiring words below from some familiar voices.
Famous Work-life Balance Quotes:
- “Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can’t afford to lose.” — Thomas Edison, Inventor
- “Do less, be more.”— Elizabeth Grace Saunders, Time Management Expert
- “Part of keeping work and life in balance is surrounding yourself with people that have similar aspirations.” — Damon Dash, Entrepreneur and Record Exec
- “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”— Stephen R. Covey, Educator and Author
- “Balance is not something you find; it’s something you create.”— Jana Kingsford, Time Management Author
- “Work-life balance is not an entitlement or benefit. Your company cannot give it to you. You have to create it for yourself.”— Matthew Kelly, Author of Off Balance
While famous quotes about work-life stress can be helpful, sometimes actionable advice can be more practical when it comes to figuring out how to separate work and personal life.
Below, you’ll find tangible insights about jobs and life from leaders at from some of the best tech companies for work-life balance:
Practical Work-Life Quotes:
“The hardest person to manage is ourselves. Leaders and employees need to hold themselves accountable to manage their time and attention in accordance with personal and company values. If that’s not happening, the rest doesn’t matter. Activating accountability to our values must start at the top. I recommend CEOs communicate an honest message to the company about their own struggles with balance.”
-Heather Haas, President at ADVISA
“Know when to stop and when to push. Earlier in my career, I would force myself to do more cause it felt like the right thing. Stopping work at 4:30 if my energy is spent, focusing on recovery in the evening, and starting the next day again has been a game changer. I accomplish so much more, have been doing the best work of my career, and I am able to keep it fun!”
-Tim Conder, Co-founder & CCO at CXology
“At Zotec we believe in “life” balance. There are many daily elements our team members have to balance which can feel overwhelming without the right support. By providing a benefits and perks suite supporting holistic wellbeing, we feel we can meet team members where they are so they can face anything life throws their way.”
-Shannon Yeates, VP, People & Culture at Zotec Partners
Work-Life Balance by the Numbers:
- 72% of workers believe work-life balance is a very important factor when choosing a job
- 57% of job-seekers say a poor work-life balance is a dealbreaker when they’re considering a new job.
- 43% more remote employees work over 40 hours a week than onsite employees do.
- 67.2% of workers report that some aspect of their work, colleagues, or corporate culture is the biggest culprit behind poor work-life balance.
Quotes About Work-Life Balance in Action:
“At the end of my first interview, the interviewer asked, ‘So I’ve learned all about who you are in the professional setting, but I want to know about who you are when you’re not at work!’ From the start – I could tell that this company was one that cared about its people. Our leadership team walks the talk – and by extension – our peers do the same.”
-Emily Cox, Communication Specialist at Zirtue
“Companies should anticipate their employees thriving in their personal life as they do in their careers. Start by including flexible schedules and remote work if possible and advocate for employees to prioritize their well-being.”
-Kaye Foreman, Office Manager at Edify
“At Parker, we genuinely care for our people. We know that everyone brings their whole selves to work – both personally and professionally. So, as a department leader, I attempt to be really flexible and understanding with my team. If they need to work remotely, leave early for an appointment, come in late, or whatever it may be, I trust them to get done what they need to regardless. Health / well being and family are top priorities. When you care about people, they care about your company.”
-Heidi Barker, Sr. Director of Marketing & Sales Ops at Parker Technology
“In the world of film production, it’s incredibly easy to get lost in deadlines and forget the outside world exists.
Take a look at your day and week ahead. Ask yourself what your priorities are at work: Do you have any specific deadlines? What are the must-dos and the great-to-get-done?
Once you have an idea of what you need to work on this week, you’ll be able to set your goals and plan out your days.
Try to make your goals as realistic as possible to increase the chances of actually sticking to them. I find it helps our team to be more likely to meet those deadlines and improve your productivity, giving you time to focus on other aspects of that whole outside world people tell me about.”
-Alden Miller, Founder of Alchemy
Company Values that Encourage Work-Life Balance:
“One of our core values at Method is “People First” – the best way to support our team is to give them agency. We trust our team to treat things with urgency, support each other, and get things done. It’s common to see OOOs in calendars for doctor appointments, school plays, or meeting the repair guy. We don’t stress about responding to late-night IMs or checking emails while we’re on vacation. We always say ‘When you have time, can you…’ when making requests. While ‘People First’ isn’t the flashiest benefit out there, it’s one of our most beneficial.”
-Alison Farber, VP of Sales at Method
“One of our core values at Powderkeg is Practice Mindfulness. This shows up in several ways. For example, whenever we have an all-hands meeting, we usually open and close the meeting with a few minutes of meditation or a breathing exercise.”
-Meg Yothment, Head of Community Operations at Powderkeg
“When it comes to work-life balance, Dennis (Zirtue CEO) is the first person to encourage time-off in order to recharge. For example, he once kicked me out of a meeting when I dialed in while home sick! And he always tells us that, “there’s no wealth without good health”. I can confidently say that this mindset is carried throughout the entire organization.”
-Airion Watkins-Clark, VP of Product & Consumer Experience at Zirtue
“Tactive is very flexible when it comes to the little life appointments that are often difficult to schedule. From medical to service appointments, we don’t nickel & dime your PTO time. It might seem like a small courtesy, but removing the anxiety around scheduling is a big relief!”
-Robin Lanning, Director of Marketing at Tactive
According to a recent report from Statista, only 60% of employees feel like they have a good work-life balance. So if you’re feeling overworked, stressed out, out of alignment with your priorities—you’re not alone.
As famous humorist Art Buchwald once said, “Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.”
You can find hundreds of great employers and leaders at tech companies in Powderkeg’s curated collection of The Best Tech Companies to Work For.
Work-Life Balance References:
- Deloitte. “Workplace Burnout Survey.” Accessed on October 15, 2021.
- Business Insider. “Americans are Definitely Workaholics.” Accessed on October 15, 2021.
- Clockify. “Workaholism Facts.” Accessed on October 15, 2021.
- Statista. “Importance of Work-Life Balance Among Employees in the U.S. in 2018.” Accessed on October 15, 2021.
- Statista. “Percentage of U.S. Employees Who had Select Attitudes About Work in 2020 and 2021.” Accessed on October 15, 2021.
Editor’s note: This is an updated version of a blog originally published on November 10, 2022.
CATEGORY: Remote Work, Talent