4th ICMA (2014)

International Citizen Media Award 2014

Topic

Work-Life-Balance:
Reconciling Work and Family Life

The current developments in the economic, technological and social area lead to an increasing importance of work-life-balance, equally for companies, employees and the general society. The working conditions have changed both in the private as well as in the public sector by an ever changing economic situation and emerging global markets. Nowadays fixed-term contracts and limited financial resources increase the need for stability and security on the side of the workforce and the demands of flexibility of their employees on the side of the companies.

Reconciling work and family life is a challenge for every society and culture. It is applicable on different levels of life. Technological innovations in the field of information and communication technology have not only triggered the restructuring of the work environment, but also have broken out extensive changes in the everyday life of people. Through the constant accessibility, the work and family life very often flows together. This could be the perfect way for a good balance, but it can also cause the opposite and let all life situations melt together and break down into a burnout or any other mental and physical illness.