Latest from the blog

Posted on5 July 2021

National Workaholics Day! Work-life balance at Atlas

It’s National Workaholics Day! So we’re asking…what kind of worker are you?

…Do you clock off as soon as it hits 5pm? Or get in early, skip lunch and stay late?

THE 4-DAY WEEK

In 2019, we implemented a 4-day week for our staff, and the following year our turnover had increased by 48%. We put this down to the ability of our highly experienced and professional team to respond rapidly to a changing and diverse market, as well as the invaluable effects of a healthy work-life balance.

We have not only improved our efficiency and performance, but our overall job satisfaction and general wellbeing.

National Workaholics Day

OUR WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Having a mix of personalities and attitudes is always healthy, whether amongst family, friends, partners or colleagues. Here at Atlas, we all work differently as individuals, and effectively as a team. On ‘National Workaholics Day’, we’ve been having a think about our own work-life balance…

Anna – I love the job (as corny as that may sound!) so it’s hard for me to drag myself away. I have to make a conscious effort to go home – not sure what my teenage children would have to say about that! I’m lucky enough to be part of such a fabulous team that work doesn’t feel like work. ????

Charlie – I genuinely enjoy going into the office and always get more out of work, the more I put into it. Not working from home has meant that I’m not running as much as I was and I’m a bit behind on laundry(!), but for me having daily human interaction and a laugh in the office has made me feel “ME” again!

Connie – I feel very lucky to be part of a company that understands the importance of work-life balance. Having the option to work from home and ask for time off when needed has meant that I haven’t had to choose between work and wellbeing, and that is something that I am very grateful for. That being said, I genuinely enjoy going into the office and seeing everyone! I think that a positive work environment is so important, not only for wellbeing, but also productivity.

James (often teased for his archaic language!) – It is marvellous to have found the perfect equilibrium between working from one’s home and one’s office. Though I feel that I am industrious in equal measure in either environment, I did miss most terribly conversing with my fellow colleagues in the workplace, so a return to some semblance of normality is most welcome, as is, rather astoundingly and contrary to opinion many people hold, the early morning constitutional to the railway station.

Jim – I consider myself lucky at Atlas to be part of a close-knit and friendly team so that ‘going into office’ isn’t as foreboding as it has been with some previous jobs. As with most things in life though, balance is key and juggling professional responsibilities with a busy personal life can be tricky. On the days I work from home I benefit from the lack of a commute giving me more personal time in the mornings and evenings, but the lines between work and home life can become blurred. I think it’s important to create separation where possible, and to know that it’s always OK to ask for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed. We moved to a 4-day working week in 2019 and this has done wonders for my work-life balance, giving me a day in the week to get chores done, freeing up more time at the weekend to spend in the pub with my family.

REAP THE REWARDS!

A healthy work-life can have a hugely positive impact on your productivity and your wellbeing. So today – on National Workaholics Day – make sure you take the lunch break you are entitled to, engage in something you enjoy doing after work, and reap the rewards that come from it!

Feel free to comment with your thoughts and feelings on work-life balance!

********************

Mind

If you’re struggling with your mental health due to poor work-health balance, then don’t suffer in silence. Talk to a loved one, or get in touch with a mental health charity such as Mind.

********************

Atlas Translations take care of every aspect of your translation. From advice and discussion to a clear and itemised quotation, through to delivery in the format you need. Dedicated, experienced project managers guide you through the process. Telephone calls answered. Emails replied to. Humans. People. Experts all the way.

As a leading language services provider, Atlas Translations has experience working in many sectors, translating and localizing digital content from Apps to websites.

Call us on 01727 812 725 to let us know what you need and we can let you know straightaway if we can help. Alternatively, send us an email to team@atlas-translations.co.uk . We respond quickly to all enquiries. Use the little icons here on the website for live chat (it really is one of us), request a call back within 27 seconds or use our price calculator for an instant quote!

ISO 17100 – ISO 17100:2017 for Translation Services (since this standard began, in 2008, externally audited annually).

Mindful employer

Mindful Employer Plus – As a Charter member, our team have access to an Employee Assistance Program with 24/7/365 support, as we work toward achieving better mental health at work.

Federation of Small Businesses and the Self-Employed

A proud member of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), a dynamic and inclusive not-for-profit membership organisation. FSB is dedicated to supporting and empowering small businesses across the UK and is committed to fostering an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive, innovate, and succeed.

Atlas Translations has been accredited by the Fair Tax Foundation since February 2024. The Fair Tax Foundation is a not-for-profit social enterprise developed by a team of tax justice, corporate responsibility, and ethical consumer experts. It was launched in 2014.

We’ve been registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) since 2004. Go to https://ico.org.uk/ for more information.

We hold a full membership in the Association of British HealthTech Industries. The ABHI supports the HealthTech community by providing products and services that help people live healthier lives. As the voice of the industry, we show the value of health technology and overcome barriers to people benefitting from it now and in the future.

Certified since 2003, externally audited annually. ISO 9001:2015 is the international standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS), applicable across all sectors. ISO 9001 provides a framework to respond to changing quality requirements in line with changing demands across society, economics and the environment.

Logo

Disability Confident Committed is creating a movement of change, encouraging employers like ourselves to think differently about disability and take action to improve how we recruit, retain, and develop disabled people. Being a DCC employer is a unique opportunity to lead the way in our community and show that we’re a disability inclusive employer.

Corporate membership of the ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpreting) since 1994. Corporate Member of the Year 2021. ITI is the only UK-based independent professional membership association for practising translators, interpreters and all those involved in the language services sector.

CIEP: We’ve held Corporate membership Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading since 1993. CIEP are an international membership organisation that offers training and community for editorial professionals (copy editors and proofreaders) while helping members develop business confidence.

ATC: We hold full membership with the Association of Translation Companies, a trade association representing the interests of language service companies in the UK and internationally. It is the leading voice for companies operating in the UK’s language services industry.

Living Wage Employer: As a living wage employer, we believe our staff deserve a wage which meets every day needs. The Living Wage Foundation has a mission to encourage employers to play their part in tackling in-work and post-work poverty and provide a decent standard of living by paying the real Living Wage, adopting Living Hours and Living Pensions as well as wider good employment practices.

4-day week

Proudly a 4-Day Week Employer since 2019. Amongst other items, the 4-Day Week initiative calls for a reduction to the maximum working week from 48 hours per week to 32 hours per week by 2030.

 

GBC_Accredited_Logo

A member of the Good Business Charter since 2022. The GBC is a simple accreditation that organisations of all sizes in the UK can apply for in recognition of responsible business practices.

PIF

We’re a proud member of the Patient Information Forum (PIF), a membership organisation for anyone producing health information and support. PIF promote access to trusted, evidence-based health information for patients, carers, the public and healthcare professionals.