Work-Life Balance in 2008

Despite the bleaker economic outlook leading to fears of less job security this year, U.S. workers want to be able to spend less time chained to their desks and more with their families and friends.

According to an article (reported in Management-Issues) two new polls have put better work-life balance high on the priority list for most Americans.

Their findings:

• The careers' website, Beyond.com, found nearly six out of 10 put a healthy work-life balance as their most important workplace goal for 2008.
• In a second poll of 1,200 workers for the Center for State and Local Government Excellence, seven out of 10 said what they wanted most of all from a job was a flexible, family-friendly workplace.

Other employee demands included:

• Further education - only 18 per cent of the vote
• Staying organized - 16 per cent
• Improving workplace relationships - 10 per cent