National Work Life Week 2025: Supporting Balance, Wellbeing, and Flexibility at Work

From 6–10 October 2025, organisations across the UK will be recognising National Work Life Week, a campaign led by Working Families to promote better wellbeing and work-life balance for everyone in the workplace.

We believe that creating space for conversations about flexibility, wellbeing, and balance isn't just a once-a-year event, it's a year-round commitment. But this week gives us a valuable moment to shine a light on the importance of healthy work cultures, and the role employers play in enabling people to thrive.

Why Work-Life Balance Is a Business Priority

Supporting work-life balance isn’t just good for employees, it’s good for business. When people feel supported in managing both their work and personal lives, they are more productive, engaged, and loyal. It leads to:

• Improved mental health and wellbeing

• Reduced absenteeism and burnout

• Increased productivity and motivation

• Stronger employee retention and attraction

The modern workforce expects more than just a paycheque, they're looking for flexibility, trust, and a culture that values them as whole people.

How Employers Can Get Involved This Week

National Work Life Week is an excellent opportunity for employers to reflect on how they support their teams, and how they can go further. Here are a few ideas

• Review flexible working policies and make sure they’re accessible, inclusive, and widely understood.

• Encourage open conversations about individual needs and boundaries, especially around workload and hours.

• Run wellbeing activities, even small actions like mindfulness sessions or wellbeing check-ins can make a difference.

• Promote stories that highlight how flexible working has helped employees succeed, this helps normalise different ways of working.

It's Not One-Size-Fits-All

One of the key messages of this week is that there is no universal formula for balance. For some, it means working flexibly to manage caregiving responsibilities. For others, it's about finding space to focus on health, hobbies, or simply having downtime.

As HR professionals, we encourage employers to create environments where flexibility and empathy are built into the culture, not something employees have to ask for.

Looking Ahead

National Work Life Week is more than a campaign; it’s a reminder of the role we all play in building better workplaces. At HR Business, we’re proud to support initiatives that put people first and create space for sustainable performance and long-term wellbeing.

Let’s use this week to reflect, listen, and act because when work and life are in balance, everyone benefits.

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