Helping your employees achieve an effective balance between their home life and their work can see loyalty, and motivation soar. Not sure how this can be accomplished? Read these words of advice from women in business who have already succeeded.

"When I started growing a team around me, if my staff had young families, I urged them to stay at home if they had children who were ill. I helped them to have working hours which fitted in with family life. And some of them are still with me, 20 years on, now that their own children have grown up.
Carole Nash, Carole Nash Insurance

"I allow all the team time off and pay for them to go on a volunteer project and I volunteer myself too. That's a cost to bear but once people live it and do it, they bring so much to the business."
Deirdre Bounds, i-to-i.com

"The turning point for me was when we had about 60 staff. I took everyone on a time management course which covered setting goals, both in our personal life and at work. It taught us all how to take control of our life. It was so successful, I offer it to the whole team on a regular basis."
Dawn Gibbins, Flowcrete Group plc

"I think parents make very dedicated, committed members of staff. I expect my team to do what I do. So if an employee wants to work at home because a child is ill, we have systems in place to allow them to continue working."
Laura Tenison, JoJo Maman Bébé

This article features in 'Manage your time' from the series of everywoman Simple Approach to business guides.

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