Changes in Work-Life Balance Over Time: Implications for Job and Family Satisfaction

Abstract

Work - life balance research has generated substantial interest for researchers and applied business professionals over the past two decades. Work - life balance can no longer be considered a personal choice for individuals; it is also a human resource management tool used to attract, motivate, and retain highly skilled employees. Most research investigating work - life balance has tended to focus on the negative aspects of combining work and non - work domains, rather than focusing on how work and non - work roles can be mutually beneficial. This research shifts the focus from the scarcity perspective (that balancing multiple roles inevitably leads to inter - role conflict as demands for time and energy compete for limited resources) to the enhancemen t perspective, which suggests that engaging in multiple roles can be energising, provide more opportunities to the individual, and increase well - being.