Over the past year we've seen some regrouping for employers as the economy has returned to a slightly more even keel - not that I think we're out of stormy waters yet. But we've also seen some worrying developments.
Key amongst these has been the rise in workplace stress and stress related absence. This is of much concern, because many of the organisations who are seeing stress issues, especially amongst their men, are also those who have good work-life balance policies on their books.
So what's happening, and what should employers do?
I think that the fallout from the economic downturn will continue to be felt for a while yet; people and companies instinctively went into crisis mode, lengthening and intensifying working time as headcounts were reduced and survivors nervously looked over their shoulders to see over whom the axe was hovering next.
In this climate it is harder for work-life balance policies to truly embed within an organisation, and for employers to have a clear sight of what's working and what's not. That's why I believe that this benchmark is so important. Not only does it show what a business is doing in relation to its peers, but it crucially also helps them to understand how a work-life culture is truly integrated into the organisation's culture and whether or not it is paying the right dividends in terms of performance and wellbeing.
My view is this: it's not about whether you benchmark your work-life balance performance.
It's can you afford not to?
Cary Cooper (pictured), distinguished professor of organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University Management School, is a judge for the awards.
HR magazine is the media partner for Top Employers for Working Families. For more information about how to enter the awards, click here
