- Step by Step Checklist

Step 1 - Get management support and the right people on board

1. Identify the motivation for your organisation to develop a work-life balance strategy.
2. Assess whether this is an appropriate time for addressing these issues.
3. Elicit support from senior management.
4. Consult the relevant unions on the best way to go about developing a strategy.
5. Appoint a working group to manage the project.
6. Communicate to the entire organisation about the project and what is involved.

Step 2 - Find out about what's happening now, and what the issues are for your organisation and your workforce

1. Gather any information - formal and informal - that is currently available on work-life balance issues in your organisation.
2. Check which policies, provisions and practices you already have to assist with work-life balance and find out what staff and managers know about them.
3. Identify the areas where you already know there are issues, or that you think it would be useful to explore.
4. Develop and implement a communications strategy appropriate to the way you plan to assess needs.
5. Plan, conduct and analyse an employee needs assessment survey.
6. List and prioritise the key work-life balance issues in your organisation.

Step 3 - Identify the possible solutions

1. List the possible solutions.
2. Review what other employers are doing.
3. Consult relevant managers, staff and unions on the most appropriate solutions for your organisation.
4. Assess the relevant options.
5. Select the best 'package' of options to make up your strategy.
6. Develop an action plan.
7. Get sign-off or commitment from key stakeholders.

Step 4 - Implement the strategy

1. Develop and implement a communication strategy.
2. Implement the initiatives through an action plan.
3. Set some measures for your initiatives and a timeframe for reviewing them.

Step 5 - Measuring and maintaining progress

1. Monitor and evaluate the initiatives.
2. Adjust the initiatives if needed.
3. Maintain work-life practices.
4. Make it part of the culture of your organisation.