LimeTime Session Recap: The Evolution of Work-Life Harmony Panel

It’s clear that work and life are no longer two separate entities that need to be balanced against one another. Instead, they should fuel each other — and people are looking for ways to create harmony between the two. In a thoughtful panel discussion as part of LimeTime, our annual virtual event series, Dr. Patti Fletcher, CMO at Limeade, Dr. Christina Shane-Simpson, Researcher at Limeade and Jessica Boswell, Sr. Vice President at Marsh discussed how the concept of work-life balance has evolved into a new era of work expectations — centered around the idea of work-life harmony.

Creating a culture where employees can thrive

One of the key themes that emerged from the discussion is the importance of agency and care in creating an environment where people can achieve work-life harmony. Employees want to work in a safe environment where they’re trusted to get their work done. They don’t want to be micromanaged or feel like they’re being watched every moment of the day — they want to be measured on their contributions, not the number of hours they work or where they do it from.

The discussion raised another important aspect of work-life harmony — the need for care. Employers need to care for their employees’ well-being, both physical and mental. This means offering benefits like healthcare, mental health support and flexible schedules. It also means creating a culture where employees feel valued and supported. As Dr. Fletcher reminded attendees, companies need to first help leaders with their own work-life harmonization so they can do the same for the people who they support.

“We have to be able to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others.” – Dr. Patti Fletcher, Limeade CMO

Well-being and the future of work

A big portion of the conversation highlighted how the evolution toward work-life harmony is aligning with the state of the industry in 2023. With the rise of remote work and flexible schedules, people are no longer tied to a physical office. Dr. Shane-Simpson, who uses her developmental lens to study the complexities of employee well-being and supporting employees as the grow, change and flourish — shared how expectations are shifting and the emerging workforce now enters the workplace expecting flexibility. This opens new opportunities for companies to emphasize work-life harmony by infusing well-being and care into an employee’s day.

Boswell highlighted key elements of work-life harmony that she sees across various teams at Marsh, including meaningful work, strong mental health practices, along with prioritizing value, respect, trust, empathy and compassion for each other.

Throughout this discussion, a consistent message of care and purpose was echoed across all panelists. The “why” of work is what fuels people — and it’s crucial to remember that employees are human beings who want to be seen and heard. This means giving employees agency, caring for their well-being, and adapting to the changing landscape of work. By doing so, employers can create a more productive, engaged and satisfied workforce.

For more on work-life harmony, download the Definitive Guide to Work-Life Harmony that includes a worksheet you can share with your team.