Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 325-333 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Employee relations |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 13 Jul 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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.
Keywords
- Consumption, Family-friendly organizations, Hours of work, Job satisfaction, Lifestyles
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
- Industrial relations
- Business, Management and Accounting(all)
- Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
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In: Employee relations, Vol. 29, No. 4, 13.07.2007, p. 325-333.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Introduction: What work? What life? What balance?
T2 - Critical reflections on the work-life balance debate
AU - Ruth Eikhof, Doris
AU - Warhurst, Chris
AU - Haunschild, Axel
PY - 2007/7/13
Y1 - 2007/7/13
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Consumption
KW - Family-friendly organizations
KW - Hours of work
KW - Job satisfaction
KW - Lifestyles
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84986132997&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/01425450710839452
DO - 10.1108/01425450710839452
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:84986132997
VL - 29
SP - 325
EP - 333
JO - Employee relations
JF - Employee relations
SN - 0142-5455
IS - 4
ER -