Balancing Act: Navigating Two Distinct Romantic Relationships Alongside Professional Life
### Navigating the Differences: Supporting Splitters and Blenders in Remote Work
In the modern work landscape, two distinct work styles have emerged as prevalent among professionals: **splitters** and **blenders**. Understanding these differences and tailoring support can help leaders create an inclusive and productive environment, especially in remote or hybrid setups.
**Splitters** are characterised by their preference for fixed working hours, maintaining a clear boundary between work and personal life, such as adhering to a 9-5 schedule. The main challenge for splitters in remote work is maintaining these boundaries as the physical separation between work and home becomes less defined. Without the natural cues of leaving an office, splitters may struggle to "switch off" and may experience frequent interruptions from home life[1].
On the other hand, **blenders** prefer flexible hours and integrate their work and personal tasks throughout the day. Their challenge is effectively managing their time to avoid overworking or mixing work and life so much that productivity suffers. They may also find it harder to establish routines or focus during work periods when distractions are readily accessible at home[1].
### Tailored Leadership Solutions
To support **splitters**, leaders can encourage setting strict schedules and boundaries. This can be achieved by respecting employees’ fixed working hours and minimizing after-hours communications. Leaders can also promote creating physical or visual cues to mark work mode, such as shutting a door, using "do not disturb" signs, or routines like closing the laptop at day’s end. This helps reinforce the psychological separation between work and personal time[1].
For **blenders**, leaders should allow and support flexible work hours so employees can adapt their work around life tasks, improving work-life integration. Encouraging the use of tools and practices for time management and prioritization can maintain productivity despite flexible schedules. Leaders should also provide guidance around setting boundaries with family or household distractions, possibly creating shared "quiet times" or flexible availability windows[1].
### Additional Supportive Actions for Leaders
Leaders can facilitate virtual informal interactions (like virtual break rooms) to foster team cohesion and reduce social isolation for all work styles[3]. It's essential for leaders to recognise that neither style is inherently better; leaders should aim to identify individual preferences via open conversations and surveys, then adapt policies and expectations accordingly[1].
By acknowledging these distinct work preferences and challenges in a remote/hybrid environment, leaders can create an inclusive culture that maximises productivity and well-being for both splitters and blenders. It's important to note that both work styles can thrive in office, remote, or hybrid work environments, but with different requirements. Splitters may prefer a dedicated workspace, while blenders may require more guidelines around appropriate workplace behaviours and locations.
Recent research by Gallup has shown that blenders are slightly more likely to be looking for a new job or be open to new offers[4]. Understanding these differences can help leaders retain valuable employees by providing the appropriate support and fostering a culture that values and accommodates both work styles.
[1] Hubstaff (2021). The Impact of Work Preferences on Job Satisfaction, Stress, and Tenure. [2] Hubstaff (2021). Understanding Splitters and Blenders: A Look at Two Distinct Work Styles. [3] Hubstaff (2021). Building Strong Virtual Teams: Strategies for Cohesion and Collaboration. [4] Gallup (2020). The State of the American Workplace Report.
- To further support splitters and blenders, leaders can utilize resources such as the Hubstaff blog that offers insights on time tracking, workplace-wellness, and health-and-wellness, providing valuable strategies for managing work and life effectively in remote settings.
- Incorporating science-backed suggestions from the Hubstaff blog can aid leaders in fostering a healthy work environment for splitters and blenders. These recommendations may include tips on time management, avoiding burnout, and maintaining a productive balance between work and personal life.
- Additionally, leaders can engage with the Hubstaff blog to stay updated on the latest research and trends in remote work, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge needed to support diverse work styles effectively, ultimately leading to greater employee well-being and retention.
