Date posted: 10th Oct 2023
By Bridget Charlton, marketing director.
It’s great to work for a business that offers a truly flexible working policy, but what does this mean for workplace wellbeing?
Clive Owen LLP offers truly flexible working with flexible hours, hybrid remote working and a 9-day fortnight scheme which involves working slightly longer hours over 9 days to have the 10th working day off.
I believe this approach goes a long way towards supporting a very positive work-life balance for our teams.
Everyone leads busy lives these days and we all have different demands on our time. There are three of us in marketing and we all value being able to work in slightly different ways. It’s brilliant that the firm can accommodate this as we feel happier and healthier as a team because of it.
I work 4-day’s per week, working from home on some days and from the office on other days. This gives me a good balance of being able to focus on my work while also having the opportunity to collaborate with my team and enjoy some social time with my colleagues.
I really value flexibility as it means that I can start and finish work at times that suit me, around the core hours. This is really helpful, as I have further study, a dog and an ageing parent to support. I also find that a healthy mind goes hand-in-hand with a healthy body, so I often take advantage of a later start or an early finish to go for a walk or to the gym.
For me, walking is a great way to improve my physical and mental health. It’s a low-impact exercise that can be done anywhere, and it’s been shown to have several benefits for both physical and mental health. It can help to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost energy levels.
I know that it can be difficult to fit exercise into a busy schedule, but I find that, for me, it’s worth it for the benefits I get. I try to walk for at least 30 minutes every day, even if it’s just walking into town on my lunch break.
It can be a challenge to fit it in sometimes, especially with the great British weather. However, it is consistency over time that brings results so I try to do it as often as I can, often returning to my desk refreshed, and with a clear head and a new sense of purpose.
I’m grateful for the agile working policies and support that Clive Owen LLP offers. They’ve helped me to create a work-life balance that works for me, and they’ve also helped me to improve my mental well-being. I’m a much happier and healthier person because of the flexibility they offer.
The firm also supported me, and other colleagues through an NVQ in Mental Health First Aid, and on that course, I learned some handy tips for maintaining a positive work-life balance and mental wellbeing:
- Set clear boundaries between work and personal time.
- Take short breaks throughout the day.
- Get enough sleep. This is so important as new research is uncovering the value of quality sleep.
- Eat a healthy diet, most of the time!
- Exercise regularly doing whatever it is that makes you happy. We are all different.
- Spend time with loved ones.
- Do things that you enjoy, for me it’s walking and spending time in nature!
Also, remember, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with work-life balance and mental wellbeing and sometimes it is more difficult than others.
Don’t be afraid to seek professional help if you need it.
To find out more about how we support our teams, click here.
