Discusses the launch of a public/private sector partnership in Leeds – Opp 2k. Explores why organizations should balance their workforces and how this can be achieved. Opp 2k exists to share work practices which contribute to the increase and improvement of the position of women in the...

Family‐supportive employment benefits have become increasingly popular in recent years as an employer response to the increasing labor force participation of women, and the consequent need to balance work and family life. Economic theory predicts that these types of fringe benefits could at...

Work is increasingly changing into a short‐term contract culture, with long hours, intrinsic job insecurity and declining sense of loyalty by employees to their employer. The costs of this to employee health, the family and ultimately the “bottom line” are great. A time for reflection is...

This paper examines the nature and level of flexible employment in the National Health Service (NHS) by investigating the extent to which part‐time work and job sharing arrangements are used in the provision and delivery of health care. It attempts to analyse the reasons for an increasing...

Public libraries providing family literacy programming make a sound investment in the future, by developing the future of the family, the community, the library and the nation. Family literacy programs help the adult parent or caregiver to successfully fulfill his role as the first and foremost...

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to initiate critical reflection on the assumptions and evidence underpinning the work‐life balance debate. Design/methodology/approach – The article reviews a range of international literature focused on and related to the work‐life balance debate...

Purpose – Explores, from an insider's perspective, the operation of so‐called “humane” resource practices at Guangxi Bank of Industry and Commerce. Design – Concentrates on the operation of three aspects of humane‐resource management at the bank: care for disadvantaged employees;...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe family‐friendly policies at Shanghai Shuozhi Management Consulting Co. Ltd. Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the background to the policies, the form they take and some of the results they achieve. Findings – The paper...