How to Get the Payback From Investment in Work-Life Balance

Journal for Quality and Participation vol. 27 issue 3 - September 2004

Abstract: Despite years of time and effort invested by organizations to improve work-life balance, results have been generally disappointing. The dilemma of work-life balance is one of complexity management. Organizational policies won't change anything if the culture is resistant. To stimulate culture change, policies need to be backed up with change in systems and in the attitudes and capability of people. Begin the change process by examining how work and responsibility are divided, the technology needed, and the human resources available. Training is essential at all levels of the organization to ensure understanding of issues, the priorities, and how to achieve these collaboratively. While bottom-line returns may be difficult to measure, the impact of work-life balance is visible in less direct factors, such as retention, productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Keywords: Business plans - Cultural change - Employee involvement (EI) - Employee satisfaction - Flexibility - Human resources (HR) - Quality of work life - Work Redesign