Anita work life balance eclo

1

Work Life Balance

Anita Pickerden

ECLO Conference 2009

2

Research Question

Where in a working life does work life balance become an issue?

Specifically, what about older workers as they prepare for retirement?

ECLO Conference 2009

Definitions

“…. a growing recognition that individuals require a satisfactory balance between the demands of work and those of the rest of life”

“ Work life balance is about the challenges that face individuals when they are trying to hold paid work and home in domestic life in balance. “

ECLO Conference 2009 3

Policy Implications

USA historical perspective

Common Market / EEC / EU Policy

UK Policy

ECLO Conference 2009 4

5

Policy Focus

Is this just a gender issue? Supporting families? Getting more women into work Getting more work out of workers? Protection against claims for work

place stress “Flexicurity”

ECLO Conference 2009

6

Life Phases

Young People Mid – Career Older Workers Post Retirement

ECLO Conference 2009

7

Young People

Career choice may influence work life balance later in life

Career choice may be gendered Young people expect better work

life balance than their parents

ECLO Conference 2009

8

Mid – career

Does work interfere with life? Or does life interfere with work?

“Middlescence” The loneliness of achievement

ECLO Conference 2009

Older Workers

A problem to managed or an asset to be valued?

“The Final Five” Leaving a Legacy Easing gently or cold turkey?

ECLO Conference 2009 9

Post Retirement

Can you afford to retire when you want to?

Balance between life and ? ? Access to services

ECLO Conference 2009 10

Employers’ responses

Legal minimum

Flexible working practices

Work life balance for all

ECLO Conference 2009 11

12

My Next Steps

West Midlands Fire Service Questionnaire of all staff Detailed questionnaire of few Interviews Report “Call me Doctor!”

ECLO Conference 2009