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by Colleen Kowalski on July 21, 2023
How much time do you spend on work in a week? Are you taking adequate time for yourself, your interests, and your hobbies?
Work-Life balance may be seen as a buzzword to include in job descriptions and interview discussions. But studies show that an imbalance between work and personal life is one of the top reported reasons for employees to search for a new job or position. In 2020, 78% of employees stated they were looking for a new position that offered more flexibility in their role to provide a better work-life balance.
53% of employees state that a greater work-life balance and personal well-being is a very important factor when considering a job or employment opportunity. A strong balance between time spent at work and time spent away from the office has a direct impact on well-being, reduced stress, and improved mental health.
An Emphasis on Live Balance
At EPI, work-life balance is not just a trending saying. In 2020, we reworked our company's Core Values to take include what our team felt most passionate about. As a result, we created our new Core Values, a list of seven values that we feel are important in both a professional and personal capacity.
One of these Core Values is “Life Balance.” We put a premium on the quality of life and deep relationships. To achieve this, we invest in each other by taking an honest interest in getting to know our teammates. We balance our work with an active personal life and know that those personal experiences refill our tank and lead us to success in the workplace.
Living Our Core Values
Since the addition of “Life Balance” to our Core Values in 2020, we have implemented an unlimited vacation policy to take time away from work and a hybrid work environment to provide our team with the flexibility to work from home or the office.
See how our EPI team members have lived this Core Value this past year and how an emphasis on Life Balance fits into their personal lives.
Scott Snider, President
Scott shares, “We are people. We don’t live to work. Work and our career is only one element of who we are. So having a holistic outlook on life and experiences within our lives I think it’s critical. I also think things feed on each other. Having a balanced or blended approach is critical to success I believe. Too much of one element brings misalignment.”
Scott lives this core value in his life as well. He says, “For me, it’s more a blend than a balance. And work-life balance or blend is seasonal. In our business for example, Q1 and Q4 are the busiest times of the year and Q2 and Q3 are slow. Especially Q2. Given that seasonality, I make a deliberate effort to spend more time with family and friends during that time. This year, in an effort to decentralize myself as an owner, I have taken 20 days out of the office. I try and take Fridays out during the summer months and take some clarity-type breaks away where I can be creative and work on the business versus in it.”
Matt Uranker, Member Experience Representative
Matt shares, “This Core Value is important to me because the only thing that we cannot add to the world is time. We have a limited time in our lives to experience and live out our dreams. So, why not prioritize those first and make everything else secondary? I have prioritized that “life” outside of work and it has allowed my wife and I to experience things that we never thought we would.”
Joe Klauer, Business Development Manager
Joe states, “Work-Life balance is important to me because it allows for downtime when you can unwind and be away from work and enjoy life. We all work hard all year and being able to take vacations and time away from the office helps to keep you refreshed and rejuvenated. I have been on a few vacations this year, as I love to travel and see new places. So far this year I have been to Punta Cana, Florida, and next month I will be in Vegas and Orange County.”
Deidre Anderson, Member Experience Representative
Deidre shares, “Work-Life Balance is especially important to me for various reasons. I am a mom and a wife and I tend to my design clients on the weekends. Before working at EPI, I worked in the very corporate sales industry. I worked almost 65 hours a week and every Saturday and Sunday was mandatory. The Core Values that EPI upholds allow me to thrive, to be my best self, and to live, not just exist. There’s a big difference, and that is important to me. This year I have lived this Core Value by being able to spend time with my family through the passing of my father-in-law earlier this year. I came to EPI in January and he passed in February, so with less than 90 days in at a new job, I was hesitant as to how this would affect my position, but was extremely relieved when I was told to take as much time as I needed. I felt like a real person that had feelings and who was valued. Having that balance is much appreciated.”
Jenna Meredith, Community Coordinator
Jenna states, “Having work-life balance as a Core Value allows me to have the equilibrium between my professional and personal life. I can step away from the workplace without a huge weight on my shoulders and spend time with family and friends. I think having this balance increases overall well-being and allows for personal growth. It also gives me the time to recharge and come back to work motivated. I have been able to live this Core Value this year by taking several trips. I have been able to go to Florida, Nashville, and Michigan!”
Rhonald Houston, Business Development Manager
Rhonald shares, “Work-Life balance is important to me because it not only enables me but encourages me to show up as my best self in all aspects of my life. In the short time that I have been with EPI, I have had the opportunity to incorporate this Core Value with remote work. I am not confined to one space, in one building. A simple concept, that has had a huge impact on my life.”
Colleen Kowalski, Content Manager
Colleen says, “Life Balance is important to me as I work to live, not live to work. Having the freedom and flexibility to take time away from the office to recharge and reenergize myself enables me to be more creative when I return to work. This year I have lived this Core Value by taking more vacations and time away from work. I was able to travel to Germany and Denmark to see Christmas Markets, visit my grandma in Florida, and take a two-week tour of the Hawaiian Islands this year with my family. I cannot wait to continue to travel and explore this upcoming year as well!”
John Weishar, Member Experience Representative
John shares, “I recently lived the Core Value of Life Balance when my wife and I went on our honeymoon. My wife, Sydney, and I spent a few days in Orlando at Disney and Universal Studios and then spent some time unwinding in the Florida Keys. I turned off notifications on emails and team chats for nine days. I was able to enjoy the time away and enjoy this time with Sydney who just finished her school year. Thankful to work with a team where we can always cover each other during times like this.”
Katie Robinson, Marketing Assistant
Katie says, “Work-Life Balance is important to me because I believe this balance gives me the ability to avoid burning out. The inability to separate work from home used to be very difficult for me prior to EPI because I never felt like I had time to relax. My last employer would constantly contact me during out-of-office hours, and it felt as though I was always working. There was no balance. After starting at EPI, and learning about this Core Value, I realized how important this balance is. I am now able to be more present in my personal relationships and make time for myself. Professionally this balance has also made me more motivated in my position and has made it easier for me to set boundaries when I am feeling overwhelmed.”
Chase Ross, Product Development Manager
Chase shares, “Friends and family should always come first in life. It’s important to not get too caught up in your job that you begin to make sacrifices in other areas. It also allows you to recharge and give your company your best effort when you are there. This year my family took a trip a Costa Rica, visiting the jungle, hot springs, volcanoes, and beaches there.”
Paige Wysocki, Director of Marketing
Paige says, “The Work-Life Balance Core Value is important to me because it encourages our team to take time away from work, and having it as a core value holds us accountable. By taking time away from work, I am able to rest, recharge, and come back refreshed with even better ideas and a higher level of productivity. This year, I was able to take time away with my husband Kurt in Key West and we have a ski trip in Switzerland coming up this winter.”
Does your organization live its Core Values? How do you ensure every member of your team not only agrees with but actively lives these values in your business? Share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn!
