It’s not about too much work.

By Amy Smith, Concierge, The Concierge Collective

“It’s not the amount of time at work, but the amount of commitments that employees are conflicted by”

According to a recent global study,  countries that have shortened their usual work hours to improve work-life balance have noticed that it has not made a positive impact. Interestingly, the percentage of employees who are reportedly unhappy with the conflicting work-life commitments has increased.

The findings are “give people more of something and it increases their expectations, which creates greater dissatisfaction when experiences do not meet their standards.”

I propose that perhaps it’s not the amount of time at work, but the amount of commitments that employees are conflicted by. Presumably they still have the same amount of work in their day job, then in the time they have regained for life, they are probably expecting to spend more time catching up with friends, starting that exercise program, joining in school activities, chauffeuring their children to and from activities, and noticing the jobs that need doing around the house.

All of these things take time, energy and head space.

What if the time they have been gifted by a shorter week was just better managed?

More time is a double edged sword when expectations are shuffled instead of reduced and expectations of gratitude are high.

What if instead of reducing the ordinary work hours, staff who are struggling to maintain work life balance are offered a service that gets things done for them? The things that weigh us down and distract us from reaching goals and potential. What if they had someone they could just send their to do list to, and instantly free up the head space? Now that sounds like a solution!

A Personal Concierge could provide a solution to this issue. An “old school PA”, who can take your to do list and cross off the distractions without the cost and commitment of staff. We are best placed to take care of the ebb and flow of your distractions, whatever they are, and create time for you to live, and most importantly, head space.