Work life balance gets thrown around a lot, especially in job specs and employer branding. But let’s be honest, how many of us actually feel like we’ve nailed it? Whether you’re working remotely across time zones, in a fast-paced corporate office, or juggling home life with a demanding job, achieving a real balance between work and everything else can feel like a moving target, but when we do get it right, the benefits go way beyond just having more free evenings. At Alchemy, we speak to candidates and clients around the world every day, and one theme keeps coming up... work life balance matters. Here’s why:
It’s good for mental health (and that’s non-negotiable)
Burnout isn’t a badge of honour. Overworking might feel productive in the short term, but long-term stress without proper rest can seriously impact your mental health. A healthy work life balance means having time to decompress, sleep well, spend time with family and friends, and do the things that make you feel like you, not just your job title. Whether you're a job-seeker trying to move away from a toxic culture or an employer wanting to retain top talent, prioritising wellbeing is key. When people feel mentally supported, they perform better, stay longer, and show up fully, and honestly, it’s just the right thing to do.
Better balance = Better performance
It might sound counterintuitive, but stepping away from work can actually make you better at your job. Rested people are more creative, more focused, and make fewer mistakes. Giving your brain space to switch off means you come back sharper and more productive. Companies that encourage balance, whether through flexible working, realistic expectations, or encouraging proper time off, tend to see better results. Less absenteeism, higher engagement, and stronger retention. It’s not rocket science, treat people like humans, and they do their best work. At Alchemy, we see this play out every day across different sectors and time zones. Balance isn’t a luxury, it’s a smart strategy.
It's a priority for job seekers, not just a perk
If you're hiring and not offering work life balance, you're going to struggle. Candidates are no longer just chasing salary or prestige, they’re looking for roles that fit their life, not consume it. That means flexibility, realistic workloads, and leadership that actually models balance. When we speak to candidates, work life balance regularly comes up as a top priority, especially for those with families, side projects, or who’ve experienced burnout in the past. It’s not a “nice to have” anymore, it’s a dealbreaker. If you're a candidate yourself, it's more than okay to ask about it. How the company talks about work life balance is often a good indicator of their culture overall.
Global Workforces Make Balance More Complex, and Even More Important
Working across time zones, cultures, and continents adds an extra layer to the conversation. When you're collaborating globally, it's easy for work to spill into evenings, weekends, or personal time. But this is exactly why boundaries are important (not just individually, but for the whole organisation). At Alchemy, we work globally and flexibly, and we encourage the same from the businesses we support. The most successful global teams don’t demand 24/7 availability, they trust people to work smart - not just long.
It's a Long-Term Investment, Not a Quick Fix
Balance doesn’t happen overnight. It’s something you build, as a professional, a leader, or a company. It’s about setting boundaries, building habits, and creating a work environment where people feel safe to switch off. That might mean turning off Slack notifications after 6pm, actually taking annual leave, or saying no when your plate’s already full. From an employer's perspective, it’s about leading by example; your people won’t prioritise their wellbeing if you don’t. At Alchemy, we believe that great recruitment is about long-term success (not just filling a job), and that starts with placing people into roles and organisations that value balance as much as the work itself.
