The boundaries between “on the clock” and “off the clock” have never been blurrier. The digital age has brought incredible opportunities, but also new challenges to how we live, work, and switch off. That’s why the topic of work-life balance has never been more important, especially for those of us in fast-moving industries like digital marketing.
Achieving a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being isn’t just about avoiding burnout. It’s about sustainable productivity, better mental health, and creating space for the things that make life meaningful: family, wellness, and growth.
Here in South Africa, the pressure can be even greater. From long commutes to unreliable power and a persistent hustle culture, the local workforce faces unique challenges. Add to that the rise of remote work, digital demands, and constant connectivity, and the need for clear, intentional work-life boundaries becomes even more essential.
What affects work life balance in this environment is often out of our control, whether it’s loadshedding, commuting stress, or the pressure to be constantly online. But the right workplace support and personal strategies can make a world of difference.
At Ruby Digital, we believe that creating space for life outside of work is the foundation of a thriving team. Here’s how we’re building a better balance from the inside out!
What Affects Work-Life Balance in the Digital Age?
The importance of work life balance goes beyond individual well-being, it has ripple effects across team culture, output, and even client success. Work-life balance is about managing your time, energy, and priorities in a way that allows you to thrive both professionally and personally. It’s not about doing less work or being less ambitious. It’s about creating space for rest, growth, and the other areas of life that matter.
In today’s world, what affects work-life balance has shifted dramatically. The same tools that give us flexibility (Slack, Google Meet, mobile notifications) can also make it harder to switch off. The line between “just checking in” and never really unplugging has become very thin.
Remote and hybrid work have made daily life more adaptable, but they’ve also introduced a new challenge: the pressure to always be available. With your office living in your pocket, it can be hard to know when work ends and personal time begins.
On the flip side, these same digital tools can also support a better rhythm. Calendar blocking, flexi-hours, async communication, and productivity frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix can all help create the structure needed to avoid burnout and improve focus.
The takeaway? Knowing how to balance work and home life today requires support, clarity, and a workplace culture that values people as more than just productivity.
The Benefits of Work-Life Balance for Employees and Employers
It’s one thing to talk about work-life balance, it’s another to actively support it. That’s where employers play a crucial role. Creating a workplace where people feel empowered to take care of their personal lives doesn’t mean sacrificing productivity, it means unlocking long-term success.
When businesses prioritise wellness, the benefits of work life balance speak for themselves:
- Happier, more motivated teams
- Higher retention and lower burnout
- Better performance and creativity
- Stronger team culture and collaboration
At Ruby Digital, we’ve seen this first-hand. Encouraging balance is a key ingredient in why our team performs so well. Here’s how we do it:
- Flexibility within working hours is allowed: Our flexitime approach allows team members to manage their schedules around personal commitments – like a midday run, school drop-off, or a quiet break – while remaining available during our core working hours.
- Time off is encouraged (not just allowed): We actively support our team in taking regular leave, ideally twice a year. Systems are in place to ensure workloads are covered so time off is actually restful.
- Mental wellness matters: We offer access to premium wellness apps and provide ongoing mental health resources. These tools are integrated into our Health and Safety policy, not tacked on as an afterthought.
- Supportive wellness structure: We go beyond lip service. From check-ins to policies, we intentionally create space for real conversations around balance, burnout, and well-being.
When you give your team the space to live well, they bring their best selves to work!
How Do You Manage Work-Life Balance in a Digital World?
Managing your time and energy in a world that’s constantly connected can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. So, how do you manage work life balance when the pings don’t stop, deadlines are tight, and work lives on your phone?
It starts with intention. At Ruby Digital, we encourage our team to set boundaries, build healthy routines, and use digital tools in a way that supports, not sabotages, their well-being.
Here are some practical tips for how to achieve a good work life balance, whether you’re in the office, at home, or somewhere in between:
- Set clear boundaries – Turn off notifications after hours. Schedule “deep work” time. Create physical separation between work and rest, even if it’s just shutting your laptop and leaving the room.
- Use flexible schedules wisely – If your company offers flexitime, use it to your advantage. Shift your day to fit your energy levels, personal commitments, or self-care moments.
- Take real breaks – Don’t underestimate the power of stepping away. We encourage 15-minute breaks after meetings to reset, reflect, and return with focus.
- Move your body – A short walk, yoga session, or even a stretch break can do wonders. Movement reduces stress and keeps you grounded throughout the workday.
- Make time for hobbies and connection – A good work-life balance includes joy, play, and relationships. Prioritise time with loved ones, your favourite creative outlet, or anything that makes you feel human.
- Try a digital detox now and then – Even a few hours away from screens can make a big difference. Whether it’s a weekend offline or an hour of no-scroll time, small resets matter.
Work-life balance isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about finding what works for you, and having the support to make it sustainable.
Ruby Digital’s Unique Take on Work-Life Balance
At Ruby Digital, we’ve created an environment where people are trusted to do great work and live full lives outside of it.
When our people feel supported, trusted, and energised, everyone wins – our team, our clients, and our culture. For us, work-life balance is the secret sauce, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Want to learn more about how we build people-first systems and culture? Have a read through this post on what makes Ruby Digital a people-centric company.
Because when balance is the goal, everyone thrives.
