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Work–life bal ance or work–life alignment? A test of the importance of work-life balance for employee engagement and intention to stay in organisations

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  • Parkes, Louise P
  • Langford, Peter H

Abstract

In an Australian sample of over 16,000 employees we assessed whether employees are satisfied with their ability to balance work and other life commitments. We tested the hypothesis that work–life balance is important for engaging and retaining employees in the context of other aspects of organisational climate. We also explored how individual and organisational variables were related to work–life balance aiding further development of theory integrating work with other aspects of life. Results showed that of 28 organisational climate factors, work–life balance was least related to employee engagement and intention to stay with an organisation. We discuss implications for how organisations position work–life balance strategies, particularly in relation to social responsibility and wellness, rather than the solution to employee commitment and retention.

Suggested Citation

  • Parkes, Louise P & Langford, Peter H, 2008. "Work–life bal ance or work–life alignment? A test of the importance of work-life balance for employee engagement and intention to stay in organisations," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(3), pages 267-284, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jomorg:v:14:y:2008:i:03:p:267-284_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Ka Po Wong & Pei-Lee Teh & Alan Hoi Shou Chan, 2023. "Seeing the Forest and the Trees: A Scoping Review of Empirical Research on Work-Life Balance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Ka Po Wong & Alan Hoi Shou Chan, 2021. "Exploration of the Socioecological Determinants of Hong Kong Workers’ Work-Life Balance: A Grounded Theory Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Parakandi, Mohammed & Behery, Mohamed, 2016. "Sustainable human resources: Examining the status of organizational work–life balance practices in the United Arab Emirates," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 1370-1379.
    4. Virginia Navajas-Romero & Rosalía Díaz-Carrión & Antonio Ariza-Montes, 2019. "Decent Work as Determinant of Work Engagement on Dependent Self-Employed," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Itziar Urquijo & Natalio Extremera & Garazi Azanza, 2019. "The Contribution of Emotional Intelligence to Career Success: Beyond Personality Traits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-13, November.
    6. Nurul Husna Hasan & Muafi Muafi, 2023. "The influence of Islamic emotional intelligence and work-life balance on organizational commitment mediated by burnout," International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293), Bussecon International Academy, vol. 5(1), pages 01-10, January.
    7. Lina Shouman & Antoni Vidal-Suñé & Amado Alarcón Alarcón, 2022. "Impact of Work-Life Balance on Firm Innovativeness: The Different Strategies Used by Male and Female Bosses," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-25, September.
    8. Rabindra Kumar Pradhan & Lalatendu Kesari Jena & Itishree Gita Kumari, 2016. "Effect of Work–Life Balance on Organizational Citizenship Behaviour: Role of Organizational Commitment," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 17(3_suppl), pages 15-29, June.
    9. Consolación Adame-Sánchez & Eva-María Caplliure & María-José Miquel-Romero, 2018. "Paving the way for coopetition: drivers for work–life balance policy implementation," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 12(2), pages 519-533, March.
    10. Tzu-Chun Weng & Yun-Hsuan Shen & Te-Tzu Kan, 2023. "Talent Sustainability and Development: How Talent Management Affects Employees’ Intention to Stay through Work Engagement and Perceived Organizational Support with the Moderating Role of Work–Life Bal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-20, September.
    11. Maria-Lavinia FLOREA & Anca BORZA, 2019. "Individual Strategies For Achieving Work-Life Balance €“ A Case Study On Romanian Workers," Proceedings of the INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 13(1), pages 845-855, November.
    12. Ramesh Krishnan & Koe Wei Loon & Norashikin Zainuddin Tan, 2018. "The Effects of Job Satisfaction and Work-Life Balance on Employee Task Performance," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 8(3), pages 652-662, March.
    13. Victoria Smith & Peter Langford, 2011. "Responsible or redundant? Engaging the workforce through corporate social responsibility," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 36(3), pages 425-447, December.

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