Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance involves employee prioritization of work and home life. The achievement of a work-life balance is a fundamental skill to be cultivated by employees (Greenblatt, 2002). This balance is not necessarily 50–50 for work versus home, nor does it remain constant across an employee's career.

Failure to achieve balance may result in the development of personal problems, including high stress and its psychological impact (such as depression) and physical effects (including fatigue, burnout, and a depressed immune system). The effects also may translate into organizational-level problems, including higher absenteeism and turnover, rising workers' compensation claims, and decreased worker productivity.

Historically, the achievement of work-life balance in U.S. organizations has become more difficult as workplaces have struggled to become more competitive, technologically advanced, and efficient. At the ...