Within the UK and Europe there is an enormous amount of interest in work-life balance. This is reflected in the media, government policy and the development of diversity programmes within large corporations. However there is also evidence that work and family life is more difficult to reconcile now than ever before. Based on findings from the ESRC's Future of Work Programme, this book focuses on the way in which gender, ethnicity and caring responsibilities shape work participation in the UK and describes the reality of how we balance our working and private lives in twenty-first century Britain.
'This important book is the culmination of seven years of study, carried out by economists, psychologists and sociologists in the UK. It's not a self-help book, but an in-depth analysis of UK working practices, from stay-at-home parents and part-time workers to workaholics. Readers may gain inspiration from some of the book's case studies, and employers may find useful the discussion of flexible and part-time working. It's a valuable overview of how we live and work.' - Management Today
'...a highly useful volume offering something to readers from different disciplines and with different perspectives, but at the same time presenting an opportunity to engage with the debate in a broader manner.' - Gill Kirton, Industrial Relations Journal
Work-Life Balance in the Twenty First Century; D.M.Houston
Gender and Work-Life Flexibility in the Labour Market; A.Booth & J.Frank
The Cost of a Career in Minutes and Morbidity; M.Rose
Sex Differences in Work-Life Balance Goals; C.Hakim
Working, Caring and Sharing: Work-Life Dilemmas in Early Motherhood; D.M.Houston & G.Marks
Part-Time Employment Among Women with Pre-School Children: Organizational Cultures, Personal Careers and Sense of Entitlement; M.Sigala
"Daddy, I Don't Like these Shifts You're Working on Because I Never See You": Coping Strategies for Home and Work; J.Hyman, D.Scholarios & C.Baldry
The Future of Work and the Division of Childcare Between Parents; I.Bruegel & A.Gray
Gender, Job Insecurity and the Work-Life Balance; N.Charles & E.James
Workplace Partnership and Work-Life Balance: A Local Government Case Study; S.Tailby, M.Richardson, A.Danford, P.Stewart & M.Upchurch
Multiple Burdens: Problems of Work-Life Balance for Ethnic Minority Trade Union Activist Women; H.Bradley, G.Healy & N.Mukherjee
Combining Family and Employment: Evidence from Pakistani and Bangladeshi Women; A.Dale
Care Workers and Work/Life Balance: The Example of Domiciliary Care Workers; C.Ungerson & S.Yeandle
DIANE HOUSTON is Professor of Psychology at the University of Kent, UK, where she directs the Work-Life Research Group. Her research interests are within applied social psychology and its interface with sociology, particularly in the areas of work, health and education. She has been a research advisor to The Women and Equality Unit in the Department of Trade and Industry, the Equal Opportunities Commission and Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.
Description
Within the UK and Europe there is an enormous amount of interest in work-life balance. This is reflected in the media, government policy and the development of diversity programmes within large corporations. However there is also evidence that work and family life is more difficult to reconcile now than ever before. Based on findings from the ESRC's Future of Work Programme, this book focuses on the way in which gender, ethnicity and caring responsibilities shape work participation in the UK and describes the reality of how we balance our working and private lives in twenty-first century Britain.
Reviews
'This important book is the culmination of seven years of study, carried out by economists, psychologists and sociologists in the UK. It's not a self-help book, but an in-depth analysis of UK working practices, from stay-at-home parents and part-time workers to workaholics. Readers may gain inspiration from some of the book's case studies, and employers may find useful the discussion of flexible and part-time working. It's a valuable overview of how we live and work.' - Management Today
'...a highly useful volume offering something to readers from different disciplines and with different perspectives, but at the same time presenting an opportunity to engage with the debate in a broader manner.' - Gill Kirton, Industrial Relations Journal
Contents
Work-Life Balance in the Twenty First Century; D.M.Houston
Gender and Work-Life Flexibility in the Labour Market; A.Booth & J.Frank
The Cost of a Career in Minutes and Morbidity; M.Rose
Sex Differences in Work-Life Balance Goals; C.Hakim
Working, Caring and Sharing: Work-Life Dilemmas in Early Motherhood; D.M.Houston & G.Marks
Part-Time Employment Among Women with Pre-School Children: Organizational Cultures, Personal Careers and Sense of Entitlement; M.Sigala
"Daddy, I Don't Like these Shifts You're Working on Because I Never See You": Coping Strategies for Home and Work; J.Hyman, D.Scholarios & C.Baldry
The Future of Work and the Division of Childcare Between Parents; I.Bruegel & A.Gray
Gender, Job Insecurity and the Work-Life Balance; N.Charles & E.James
Workplace Partnership and Work-Life Balance: A Local Government Case Study; S.Tailby, M.Richardson, A.Danford, P.Stewart & M.Upchurch
Multiple Burdens: Problems of Work-Life Balance for Ethnic Minority Trade Union Activist Women; H.Bradley, G.Healy & N.Mukherjee
Combining Family and Employment: Evidence from Pakistani and Bangladeshi Women; A.Dale
Care Workers and Work/Life Balance: The Example of Domiciliary Care Workers; C.Ungerson & S.Yeandle
Authors
DIANE HOUSTON is Professor of Psychology at the University of Kent, UK, where she directs the Work-Life Research Group. Her research interests are within applied social psychology and its interface with sociology, particularly in the areas of work, health and education. She has been a research advisor to The Women and Equality Unit in the Department of Trade and Industry, the Equal Opportunities Commission and Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.
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