Sunday, May 3, 2026
The Advocate I Baton Rouge
The Advocate, Energage celebrate excellence with first Greater Baton Rouge Top Workplaces
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its leadership team and the meaningfulness that employees find in their work.
• Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers was recognized for its strong values.
• GIS was recognized for its work-life flexibility. To
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Companies can improve recruitment and retention with these proven strategies
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Create a great experience for candidates. Attracting talent
Stay in touch with good candidates. Sometimes, there are too many qualified candidates and not enough open positions. During those times, explain that
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GREAT WORKPLACES AREBUILT BY GREATPEOPLE.
Beingn amed a TopWorkplace is areflec tion of thepeoplewho show up wi th comp as sion, purpose, andcommi tmen ttom akinga difference totho se we serve. Th ankyou for makingour mi ssions tronger, toge ther. and ours is worth celebrating.
Work-life balance doesn’t happen by accident
The data suggest organizations that want to support the work-life balance goals of employees can’t assume workers, including remote employees, are achieving balance on their own. These best practices can help encourage a workplace environment that supports work-life balance: Review company policies: Rules around
accounting for income, Gallup said
Consider what the workplace culture conveys: Messaging the importance of work-life balance is good, but what does your culture reward? If promotions typically go to those burning the midnight oil, your organization might be sending mixed messages about what is valued.
Assess sta ng needs: While keeping a low overhead is important, employee wellbeing must also be a priority. Review sta levels across the organization to ensure one employee’s vacation doesn’t burden employees who are covering for them. If that is happening, it can create an atmosphere of resentment.
Manage meeting times: When folks try to schedule a large meeting, especially at the last minute, doing so might create problems. Lunchtime meetings, early meetings, and late meetings also can interfere with employees’ non-working hours. Avoid them.
For employers looking to go further, here are some other tips on creating a positive culture for work-life balance:
Consider flexible work arrangements: Flexible schedules, remote work options, and hybrid models can accommodate individual needs and preferences.
• O er additional time o : Give workers additional time to recharge their batteries with more paid holidays, half days before long weekends, summer Fridays, or extra days o for birthdays or wellness.
• Give mental-health and well-being support: Provide resources for counseling or stress reduction, mental health days, and encourage employees to prioritize self-care.
• Implement family-friendly policies: Programs that support childcare and adult care needs, and even ones that allow pets at the o ce, can support employees and reduce stress.
• Communicate and set expectations: Provide clear communication regarding work hours, meetings, and availability. Consider implementing automated reminders for managers to respect time o and encourage employees to unplug during vacations.
Here’s another suggestion that can help employees who struggle: Place transition work blocks on the calendar before and after paid time o . This allows time to prepare to be o and time to catch up upon return.
Bob Helbig is media partnerships director at Energage, a Philadelphia-based employee survey firm. Energage is the survey partner for Top Workplaces.
This article is brought to you by Energage.
Remote work can be great, but without structure, it can blur boundaries fast. Here are some e ective ways to stay productive and protect your work-life balance.
Set clear boundaries.
Decide when your workday starts and ends, and stick to it. Log o at a set time and avoid “just one more email” at night.
Create a dedicated workspace.
Even a small, defined area helps your brain separate work mode from home mode, improving focus and making it easier to unplug later.
Build a consistent routine.
Start your day the same way each morning. A routine (ex: co ee, exercise, shower, getting dressed) signals to your brain that it’s time to work.
Prioritize tasks. Use to-do lists or time-blocking to stay focused.
Clear priorities prevent overwork and reduce stress.
Use the two-minute rule.
If something takes less than two minutes, do it right away. This keeps small tasks from piling up and creating stress.
Communicate proactively.
Give your team status updates, availability and expectations. Good communication reduces pressure to always be “on.”
Celebrate small wins. Remote work can feel endless. Acknowledge completed tasks to stay motivated and avoid burnout.
Take real breaks. Step away from your screen regularly. Find ways to move your body even during short breaks, such as a brief walk or stretching session.
Protect your time. Limit after-hours notifications when possible, since constant pings make it hard to truly disconnect. Plan dinners, hobbies and family time so you have something to look forward to when you log o .
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