Professional and personal life balance: how do you manage to really disconnect?

• 82% of managers believe that hyperconnection has a negative impact on their life balance;
• 75% consult their professional communications during their holidays or on weekends; only 23% say they never do so;
• 77% of those under 35 stay connected outside of work.

*Source: Ifop, 2023

At a time when the line between professional and personal life is becoming increasingly blurred, find Balancing professional life has become a real challenge, but also a priority for companies concerned about well-being of their teams.

Work-life balance: an issue that is more current than ever

What is work-life balance?

Work-life balance refers to the ability to organize and manage professional commitments while devoting sufficient time and energy to one's private, family, social and personal life.

It is a state of harmony where neither work nor personal life take too much precedence over the other, allowing everyone to feel fulfilled, serene and healthy, both physically and mentally.

Finding this balance means, for example:

• To be able to carry out professional tasks without constantly encroaching on one's free time;
• Have quality time with loved ones;
• Set aside time for leisure and rest;
• Limit the stress and work-related fatigue.

This balance is essential for the overall well-being, the motivation, the productivity at work, but also for maintaining personal relationships satisfactory. This is a challenge, especially in a hyperconnected world where the boundaries between work and private life are often blurred.

In a world where technologies allow you to be connected all the time, the temptation, even the need, to respond to professional emails outside of office hours, during weekends or even during vacations, is a widely shared reality. In fact, 82% of managers consider that this hyperconnection has a negative impact on their balance. However, 75% of them consult their professional communications during their holidays or on weekends. Only 23% say they never do it, compared to 31% who do it frequently and 46% occasionally. Executives in the construction (83%) and administration (80%) sectors in particular struggle to disconnect completely. Surprisingly, managers aged 50 to 64 (80%) are more connected than their counterparts under 35 (77%) . * This constant hyperconnection seriously complicates maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

*Source: Ifop for the company Securex, 2018.

This observation challenges HR directors and managers who, more than ever, have a key role in supporting their employees to find the right balance, which is essential to their well-being and performance.

Why is it so difficult to balance work and personal life?

Balancing professional and personal life is a subtle dance that requires real commitment on both sides. Historically, the rigid schedules, the long trips and the expectations of the world of work made this balance almost unattainable. Today, the possibilities like the teleworking Have opened doors, but they also bring their share of challenges.

If teleworking offers a valuable flexibility, it can also blur boundaries: working from home can mean constant interruptions or, on the contrary, a difficulty in stopping. The mental load linked to work is then prolonged at home, generating stress and fatigue..

In addition, stereotypes and social judgments further complicate the situation: daring to leave early to pick up your children or ask for special leave can be a source of anxiety and guilt. However, work-life balance should not be a luxury, but a norm.

The decisive role of companies and managers in this balance

Fortunately, companies are gradually becoming aware that the well-being of their employees depends on a Respected balance between working time and personal time. According to the Qualisocial x Ipsos 2025 Mental Health & QVCT Barometer, 25% of employees feel they are in poor mental health, a figure that climbs to 29% among women, compared to 21% among men. This data highlights a central issue: without a healthy and balanced work environment, the mental health of employees can deteriorate, with direct repercussions on commitment, concentration and energy at work.

The first lever? Careful listening. Understand the specific needs of each, recognizing life events that require temporary accommodation, and especially establishing a climate of trust without judgment are essential to open a constructive dialogue.

These expectations are not theoretical: “good flexibility” (27%) and a better work/life balance (26%) rank 3rd and 4th among the criteria that push candidates to choose a company, after geographic location (32%) and salary (65%). Note that flexibility is even more decisive for women, where it is in 3rd position in the criteria for choosing an employer, compared to 6th among men.. *Source: Robert Half study, 2024

In addition, theflexible work organization remains a real key. By promoting adapted schedules, by encouraging partial telework, and by ensuring that meetings do not spill over into the evenings or weekends, managers allow their teams to better manage their personal priorities.

And the results are there: Employees in good mental health are 2.4 times more likely to have a good ability to concentrate, 39% more committed, and 55% more likely to feel good energy at work. At the same time, companies that implement a comprehensive prevention plan see +26% of employees in good mental health, and 83% of employees believe that these measures have had a positive impact on their well-being.

How can you support your teams in concrete terms?

Rather than sticking to rigid rules, it is a question of co-constructing with your employees a framework that allows them to develop fully, professionally and personally.

This involves:

• La establishment of reasonable and flexible hours, to avoid excessive presenteeism and unnecessary fatigue. For example, allowing a parent to start their day earlier to finish earlier can make all the difference.
• The development of teleworking, which, when properly supervised, improves productivity and reduces stress related to transport, while leaving employees time for their personal projects.
• One clear and caring communication on the respect of rest periods. Employees should feel free to disconnect without fear of missing an opportunity or disappointing their manager.
• Managers must also be exemplary: take time off, avoid emails outside of working hours, and encourage their teams to do the same.

Towards a corporate culture focused on quality of life

Finally, beyond the measures, it is a question ofinstill a corporate culture where work-life balance is not a simple check box, but a real pillar of collective well-being. This can involve workshops, dedicated seminars, or the intervention of specialized coaches, who make it possible to make all employees aware of the importance of preserving their life time.

Companies that succeed in this challenge not only gain in attractiveness, they also cultivate a healthy social climate, reduce absenteeism, and promote the retention of their talents.

5 concrete and actionable tips to better reconcile professional and personal life

To promote a sustainable balance between professional and personal life, here are some tips to apply today, for employees and managers alike.

1. Learn to set clear boundaries.

Set specific schedules for your working days and stick to them as much as possible. Turn off your professional notifications outside of these ranges, so you can fully disconnect and recharge your batteries.

2. Focus on quality over quantity.

Organize your tasks according to their priority and efficiency. Working better, not longer, will allow you to free up time for your loved ones and your hobbies.

3. Communicate openly with your manager and colleagues.

Do not hesitate to express your personal needs or constraints. Transparency is the basis for a healthy professional relationship and flexible work organization.

4. Take advantage of the possibilities offered by remote work.

Teleworking, well supervised, can offer you more freedom in managing your time. Take the opportunity to optimize your trips and organize your days according to your natural rhythms.

Teleworking continues to be a strong expectation : 28% of French employees say they would leave their company if the teleworking policy were abolished or changed, and an additional 26% say they are undecided. This figure climbs to 38% among 18-34 year olds, revealing a marked attachment of the younger generations. *Source: Robert Half study, 2024

5. Take care of yourself on a daily basis.

Don't overlook your breaks, sleep, and relaxing activities. A rested mind is a more efficient, more creative and more serene mind.

Finding work-life balance is more than a challenge, it's an opportunity.

• An opportunity for employees to feel better, more committed, and more effective.
• An opportunity for businesses to become great places to work, learn and grow together.

So why not start today, with simple actions: listen, organize, communicate... and above all, set an example?

At Qualisocial, we support organizations that want to make quality of life at work a real driver of commitment. Thanks to our listening devices, our training, and our expertise in the prevention of psychosocial risks, we help companies to build a work environment that is more respectful of everyone's balance.

‍