Work-Life Balance as Rediscovered Modern Trend in HR Management

Abstract

The paper addresses the issue of work-life balance (WLB) as a modern trend in Human Resources Management, while the term was coined in 1986 and the concept itself exists from mid-1800s, if not considering Seneca´s thoughts. This means that people are anxious about how to handle the concept and how to use its benefits. Both employers and employees are not fully aware of advantages of WLB, while disadvantages are discussed frequently. Stress, family arguments, life unhappiness, playing roles without engagement, these are just few of many consequences of excessive work load. Governments not only do not interfere much into regulation of working hours, they do not apply WLB for their own employees. Especially the “sandwich” generation is suffering from increasing stress and compunction, when caring of their own families and children, but at the same time their upbringing does not allow them to leave old dependent parents in homes for the elderly, and the society pushes its members into being perfect parents, perfect descendants, perfect workers. This article thus attempts to provide an overview of recent discussions on WLB (and part-time work as the most visible part of WLB), its changes in arguments and changes in perceptions of WLB by both employers and employees in the last months.