ALLANA MANAGEMENT JOURNAL OF RESEARCH, PUNE - Volume 5, Issue 2, July 2015 - December 2015

Pages: 49-56
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WORK - LIFE BALANCE : AN IMPERATIVE STRATEGY FOR BUSINESS

Author: Iram Shaikh, Dr. Ahmad Umar Khan

Category: General Management

Abstract:

The notion of work-life balance has gained highly in importance during recent years. In this context, developments and changes at the work place such as advances in the information technology and information overloads that require quick responses and changes at a fast pace put increasing pressures on employees (Guest, 2002). Next to this, also developments and changes in life outside work can be seen as source of a work-life imbalance. In particular, transformations in the socio-economic environment and changes in technology opening possibilities regarding where and when work is carried out cause an imbalance between work and home responsibilities. Moreover, the shift away from the image of the "traditional family" towards an increasing appearance of nuclear families, single parent families and the greater participation of women in the labor force represent factors requesting a greater work-life balance among employees (Guest, 2002). Initiatives like work from home , flexible work schedule has blurred the boundaries between work and non-work life(Hill,1997) Work-life balance is no longer only a women related issue, but an issue of today's workforce itself. Men are equally finding it difficult to balance their work and personal life. Therefore, though work-life balance was initially recognized and construed as a concern for working mothers, it now includes all classes of employees (Bird, 2006).