Investing in work-life balance: a win-win situation?

By Christian Welz

Living to work - working to live Tomorrow's work-life balance in Europe, a European Union forum held in Dublin in November, looked in particular at the work-life balance.

This debate addressed the persisting gender imbalance in care, with women still doing far more of the child care and housework than men, even when they work full time and/or when both partners have the opportunity to use flexible working arrangements.

Participants in the debate argued that there was a win-win approach possible, and gave the examples of Xerox UK and BT UK. A more holistic approach across policy areas and in corporate thinking is needed.