Do you live to work or work to live?
New Zealanders are known for valuing a balanced life. Even in bustling cities, a beach, a bike trail or a national park is never far away. This close connection to nature reflects the Kiwi mindset. While working hard and achieving career goals are important, balancing a good day’s work with time spent with family, friends and the outdoors is a priority for many. However, in a post-pandemic world, achieving this balance has become a little more challenging.
The challenge of hybrid work models
New Zealand, like many countries, has seen a shift towards hybrid work models, where employees split time between home and the office. While this flexibility is appreciated, it can blur the lines between work and personal life. Those who struggle to manage their time or neglect self-care are at higher risk of burnout, fatigue and stress-related health issues. Overworking doesn’t always lead to better results—in fact, poor work-life balance often leads to longer hours and lower productivity.
Designing workspaces for wellbeing
Office design has become a crucial tool for supporting staff. The modern, post-pandemic workplace is often a space where people can collaborate, interact socially and find areas for focused, distraction-free work. A thoughtfully designed office helps employees differentiate between work and home life, ensuring that the office remains a productive and comfortable environment. Incorporating the best aspects of remote work into office design creates a space that appeals to a post lockdown workforce, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
Flexible workstations that flex around you
Flexible workstations are a key feature of modern office design, offering employees a range of spaces to suit their needs. Whether it’s hot desks, quiet zones for deep thought or collaborative meeting spaces, these adaptable environments cater to different tasks and preferences. They also accommodate the growing trend of remote and hybrid work, ensuring that part-time office-goers have access to suitable work environments to enhance overall productivity.
The impact of a positive work culture
When Kiwis feel supported in balancing their work and personal lives, the benefits are significant. Workers are more engaged, productive and loyal, leading to lower turnover rates, increased job satisfaction and higher performance. A positive work culture creates a sense of community, where employees feel valued and motivated.
Bringing nature indoors
New Zealanders have a strong connection to nature, and this love for the outdoors can be brought into the workplace. Incorporating natural elements like plants, natural light and outdoor views can have numerous benefits for employee wellbeing and productivity. The approach taps into our innate human connection to nature, creating a work environment that mirrors the active, outdoorsy
Kiwi lifestyle.
Leveraging technology for balance
Technology plays a key role in helping employees manage work-life balance. By using tools like calendars, reminders and task prioritisation apps, workers can help define the lines between their professional and personal lives. Features such as do-not-disturb mode and autoresponders help to set boundaries, ensuring people are not always on call. Project management software and cloud storage also streamline workflows, making it easier for teams to collaborate and access work from anywhere.
As hybrid work models become the norm, it’s more important than ever to create workplaces that support a healthy balance. In a country where work is valued, but life is for living, creating this balance is key to long-term success