Introduction: What work? What life? What balance? Critical reflections on the work-life balance debate

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftÜbersichtsarbeitForschungPeer-Review

Autoren

  • Doris Ruth Eikhof
  • Chris Warhurst
  • Axel Haunschild

Externe Organisationen

  • University of Stirling
  • University of Strathclyde
  • Universität Trier
Forschungs-netzwerk anzeigen

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)325-333
Seitenumfang9
FachzeitschriftEmployee relations
Jahrgang29
Ausgabenummer4
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 13 Juli 2007
Extern publiziertJa

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to initiate critical reflection on the assumptions and evidence underpinning the work-life balance debate. Design/methodology/approach – The article reviews a range of international literature focused on and related to the work-life balance debate and issues. Findings – In the work-life balance debate, over-work is perceived as the problem. Nevertheless, beyond working time and the provision of flexible working practices to enable child care, there is little in the debate abut the need to change work per se. The debate also narrowly perceives “life”, equating it with women's care work, hence the emphasis again of family-friendly polices. Research limitations/implications – The article suggests that reconceptualisation is required in analyses of both work-life balance and the relationship between work and life. Practical implications – The article implies that current work-life balance policies are myopic in terms of addressing the needs and aspirations of employees. Originality/value – The article offers a synthesis of evidence that is wider than that typical in current analyses of work and life.

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Zitieren

Introduction: What work? What life? What balance? Critical reflections on the work-life balance debate. / Ruth Eikhof, Doris; Warhurst, Chris; Haunschild, Axel.
in: Employee relations, Jahrgang 29, Nr. 4, 13.07.2007, S. 325-333.

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftÜbersichtsarbeitForschungPeer-Review

Ruth Eikhof D, Warhurst C, Haunschild A. Introduction: What work? What life? What balance? Critical reflections on the work-life balance debate. Employee relations. 2007 Jul 13;29(4):325-333. doi: 10.1108/01425450710839452
Ruth Eikhof, Doris ; Warhurst, Chris ; Haunschild, Axel. / Introduction: What work? What life? What balance? Critical reflections on the work-life balance debate. in: Employee relations. 2007 ; Jahrgang 29, Nr. 4. S. 325-333.
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