The issue of work-life balance is a burning issue for both individuals
and organisations because of a combination of economic, demographic
and social factors.
The new economic reality is that we now exist in a globally competitive
marketplace, where de-regulation of labour markets, demanding consumers
and the impact of information technology have all meant that organisations
must get more from less as we learn to survive in a service and
information economy.
At the same time, the nature of the workforce has changed dramatically.
In addition, dual earner families are now the norm, we are experiencing
an ageing population and a shift in the expectations of quality
of work-life by younger generations.
Organisations recognise that they need to attract and retain good
people, have them working productively and be able to tap into that
discretionary energy that can be a source of competitive advantage.
Employers cannot tap into these resources if their employees cannot
balance work and life. Companies are now researching the expectations
of their employees to understand their issues and values.
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