Sustaining Work/Life Balance for School Staff

What is work life balance? Work-life balance is the state of equilibrium where a person equally prioritizes the demands of one's career and the demands of one's personal life.

Why is this balance important?

It helps maintain your mental health.
It ensures your physical health and wellbeing.
Prevents burnout and chronic stress at work and at home.

Why is it so hard to achieve?

You might feel guilty about “letting students down.”
You feel responsible for student academic growth and wellness.
You understand that students have additional needs during COVID-19 and want to be there for them.
You are trying to relearn your teaching craft to be successful in a new environment, with new technological platforms.

What can I do in a practical way?

Schedule consistent regular open office hours with students and caregivers.
Schedule dedicated weekend and evening hours when you focus on yourself and loved ones.
When time is limited, prioritize relationships with students.
Set aside specific hours for non-screen time work.
Tap into existing educational resources - don’t reinvent the wheel.
Ask for help - Take advantage of your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) if you are struggling.

Retrain your brain to prioritize work/life balance

Recognize that you're having a positive impact on your student’s lives (even when it doesn't feel like it).
Recognize there are peaks and lows in the work week. You may be in a low moment, but it will pass.
Take time to connect with other adult educators.
Less can be more.
You don’t have to be a superhero all the time in every situation.
Allow yourself to feel and express vulnerability when talking with peers - share your thoughts and emotion openly. You are not alone.
Give yourself permission to let go of work related thoughts.
Your health and wellness matter!

How Can Administrators Encourage Work/Life Balance for School Staff During Covid -19

Why is this balance important?

It helps maintain mental health.
It ensures physical health and wellbeing.
Prevents burnout and chronic stress at work and at home.

Why is it so hard to achieve for school staff?

Staff might feel guilty about “letting students and families down.”
They feel responsible for student academic growth and wellness.
Staff understand that students have additional needs during COVID-19 and want to be there for them.
They are trying to relearn teaching approaches to be successful in a new environment, and with new technological platforms.

What can I do in a practical way?

- Reduce additional “asks”. Staff are already under immense pressure.
- Verbally acknowledge, and thank staff in both private and public forums for their commitment and for their work.
- Ask staff how you can practically help them collectively and individually.
- Free up staff calendars to catch up on backlogged tasks.
- Provide time and opportunity for staff to engage in self-care.
- Remind staff to not work 24/7.
- Make a practice of ONLY sending email/work requests during work hours.
- Provide opportunities for staff to connect with their Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Schedule self-care/wellness professional development in place of, not in addition to, other professional development.
- Provide places and times for staff to socialize and share informally. Be a good listener.