Page 103 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Spring 2021 Digital Interactive Issue

or other setups. But at home, it becomes a much
bigger challenge. Some employees may live
in a townhouse or condominium, while others
may live in a large home or smaller house. Also,
there are inconsistencies in challenges because
while some employees may be single and live
on their own, others are surrounded by family
with constant needs. Lang suggests that people
try and set up a workspace that is not only
comfortable, but also simulates an office setting.
Is this possible?
“Yes, it can be done, but it certainly requires more
discipline than jumping into your car or the bus
and arriving at the office, which is already set
up and ready to go for you,” adds Lang, who
says when done the right way, a home office
can stimulate creativity and drive production. “A
home office can provide employees with more
‘think time’ than they might have in an office, and
this is an opportunity to think clearly and not have
to worry about your co-workers showing up at
your desk unannounced.”

Of course, one of the benefits of working in the
office is that at some point, employees turn off
the lights and go home. Depending on their
commute, the car ride home may be a time to
decompress, or they may head to the gym, jog
or meet up with friends. At home, the boundaries
between a work-life balance are often blurred.
According to a survey with Mental Health America,
Flexjobs found that those who have flexible work
options say their work-life balance is excellent or
very good. The study also showed that not only
did respondents with flexible work schedules,
including remote work, exhibit more productive
behaviors and better mental health, but that those
with more rigid work schedules were significantly
unhealthier mentally and physically. leaders, but then the pandemic hit and here we supporter of working 100 percent remotely once
are advising partners on remote working and regulations relax and organizations have the
“It’s not surprising that when people feel healthy, eventually transitioning back to the office for opportunity to transition back to the office. She
they are also more productive, so as difficult as some,” says Lang. “The concept of balance is not will always pick interacting with people in-person,
it is to set boundaries at home, it’s a must,” says just about work-life, but also in communicating face-to-face versus online. But she also realizes
Lang. “This can be challenging to do with clients, with employees and managing work properly. Just that over the past year, because of the pandemic,
because availability is key, and most of us tend to because you cannot walk down the hall casually there has been no choice.
respond to e-mails from home even when we are to ask someone a question doesn’t mean you
working from an office. Carve out 30 minutes should be overbearing from a distance. If done “When it is safe again, I do suggest going back
to take a walk or spend time with family. It will correctly, management can actually build even to the office at least 30 percent of the time,”
recharge your battery, maintain balance and more trust and production than before COVID.” concludes Lang. “Working remotely does force one
make you more productive.” to be more independent, disciplined and creative,
Based on her history of working long hours in and hopefully that turns into more productivity, and,
Remote working is such key issue for an the office and being out and about telling DC’s of course, more balance overall.”
organization’s business operations that Lang business and economic story, Lang is not a
Strategies incorporated it into a new online
leadership training series for clients and anyone
else who may need some guidance on how to
balance work-life while continuing to focus on BRIAN BOYER
the bottom line. The LangLeaderClass’ “Working FOUNDER AND CEO, THE BOYER GROUP
from Home: Balance and Boundaries,” is one
of seven online courses geared toward ensuring
employees are even more efficient than ever before, brian@theboyergroupllc.com www.theboyergroupllc.com
including when they were in the office.
“In our work with clients, two years ago I never 860-960-7525.
thought this would be a topic so relevant to

103. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL