Work-Life Balance

Australia needs to have a strong economy and to be able to trade with rest of the world for the resources, products and services that it needs. Australian businesses need to be efficient and productive so that they are competitive in the global market place. If Australian businesses are competitive, then Australia's economy will be strong.

In response to an increasing competitive global marketplace, the Australian government has made and will continue to make changes to its Industrial Relations policy. The Workplace Relations Act 1996 was a centerpiece of the incoming Liberal government. The Liberal political ideology is very much in favour of promoting business. This ideology is based on the belief that a stronger economy provides for more jobs and a higher standard of living for Australian citizens.

However, a fast moving economy with citizens working hard to keep the nation strong has an effect on the work-life balance, and society changes.

In particular, there is a noticeable trend towards a longer working week. The proportion of workers working very long hours i.e. 60 hours per week or more, is increasing.

Other important trends include:

• Extending working hours by taking work home or working from home
• Being increasingly contactable by your employer or employer's clients by mobile phone
• Increasing job complexity and responsibility

The net effect of these trends is that there is:

1. A blurring of the boundary between work and home life
2. Less home life

Read about Work-Life Balance on the excellent website:

Employers for Work-Life Balance

Read the Factsheet provided and more.