Abstract
As increased work demands and longer working hours become the reality for many employees, the concept of work-life balance has received increasing attention. This paper presents findings from an exploratory study of Australian middle managers, which investigated the impact of middle managersââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ daily organizational experiences on their lives both in and beyond the workplace. We focus on respondentsââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ reports of the difficulty in achieving work-life balance, specifically, the organizational impediments to creating balance. Three particular areas where these impediments were apparent are: the impact of new technologies; limits to autonomy and control in the middle management role; and difficulties in taking advantage of flexibility initiatives in the workplace. As middle managers are caught in the middle between work and personal life, there is a need for organizations to support middle managersââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ efforts to achieve work-life balance if the organizationââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s long-term goals are to be achieved.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal |
| Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Keywords
- conduct of life
- hours of labor, flexible
- middle managers
- self-management (psychology)
- time management
- work and family