Work-Life Balance in the 21st Century

CHRIS BALDRY Professor of Human Resource Management, University of Stirling, UK ALISON BOOTH Professor of Economics, Australian National University, Australia and University of Essex, UK HARRIET BRADLEY Professor of Sociology and Dean, School of Social Science and Law, University of Bristol, UK IRENE BRUEGEL Professor, ESRC Families and Social Capital Research Group, London South Bank University, UK NICKIE CHARLES Professor of Sociology, University of Wales, UK ANGELA DALE Professor of Quantitative Social Research, Cathie March Centre for Census and Survey Research, University of Manchester, UK ANDY DANFORD Reader in Employment Relations, Employment Studies Research Unit, Bristol Business School, BUWE, UK JEFF FRANK Professor of Economics, Royal Holloway College, University of London, UK ANNE GRAY Doctor, ESRC Families and Social Capital Research Group, London South Bank University, UK CATHERINE HAKIM Senior Research Fellow, Sociology Department, London School of Economics, UK GERALDINE HEALY Professor of Employment Relations, Centre for Business Management, Queen Mary, University of London, UK EDMUND HEERY Professor of Human Resource Management, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University JEFF HYMAN Professor of Human Resource Management, Department of Management Studies, University of Aberdeen Business School, UK EMMA JAMES Research Fellow, National Centre for Public Policy, University of Wales, UK GILLIAN MARKS Lecturer in Psychology, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK NUPUR MUKHERJEE Former Research Officer, University of Bristol, UK MIKE RICHARDSON Senior Researcher in Industrial Relations, Employment Studies Research Unit, Bristol Business School, BUWE, UK MICHAEL ROSE Professorial Research Fellow, Department of Social and Policy Studies, University of Bath, UK DORA SCHOLARIOS Reader in Organisational Behaviour, University of Aberdeen Business School, UK MARIA SIGALA Researcher, Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of Oxford, UK PAUL STEWART Professor of the Sociology of Work and Employment, Employment Studies Research Unit, Bristol Business School, BUWE, UK STEPHANIE TAILBY Principal Lecturer in Employment Relations, Employment Studies Research Unit, Bristol Business School, BUWE, UK CLARE UNGERSON Honorary Professor of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent, UK MARTIN UPCHURCH Reader in International Employment Relations, Employment Studies Research Unit, Bristol Business School, BUWE, UK SUE YEANDLE Professor of Sociology and Director, Center for Social Inclusion, Sheffield Hallam University, UK

As we begin the twenty-first century, UK employees work the longest hours in Europe. The research examines the notion of employment flexibility and the effects of gender and care responsibilities on work and work performance.As we begin the twenty-first century, UK employees work the longest hours in Europe. Workplace stress and home responsibilities are among the top five causes of absence from work. Yet work-life balance has emerged as a key concern for employers, policy makers and the media. This edited volume contains findings from 14 research projects within the ESRC's Future of Work Programme. The research examines the notion of employment flexibility and the effects of gender and care responsibilities on work and work performance. Conflicting needs of employers and employees and the gender divisions in work and family life call into question the feasibility of achieving the Government's aim of work-life balance for everyone.