Of all the terms employers are expected to learn in order to run a business, work-life balance is one of the most important.

This is the balance between paid work and activities outside the office, and it needs to be maintained correctly to keep staff happy. Why? Happy staff are the key to a successful company, as they're often engaged with their work and always willing to go the extra mile. Too much work could mean they're put off, and subsequently at risk of becoming disengaged.

As such, it's important for leaders and employers to do their part in maintaining a good work-life balance for employees.

Compounding the need for work-life balance is the fact that jobseekers rank it above most other aspects of employment, according to a report from Hudson earlier this year. The 'Hiring Report: The State of Hiring in Australia 2015' surveyed 3,000 professionals and hiring managers, and noted that Australian jobseekers place work-life balance higher than salary, career progression and job title.

"No longer just a buzz term or the domain of the working mum, work-life balance is now fundamental to all Australian professionals and will be firmly on the agenda as we move throughout 2015," explained Hudson Executive General Manager Dean Davidson.

So what can be done to avoid work-life balance issues, and ensure staff remain engaged with the company?

Employers may want to consider the benefits of offsite staff training in ITIL, for example, as a way of breaking up the monotony of a position. This means providing useful and engaging training for employees.

In addition to this, a project management course could also be a useful way to boost engagement. Training also has the added benefit of showing staff they're valued and worth investing in.

Work-life balance should be a top priority for businesses this year, especially if they hope to retain staff and keep them engaged.