What's in a name? 'work and family' or 'work and life' : balance policies in the UK since 1997 and the implications for the pursuit of gender equality
By: LEWIS, Jane
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Contributor(s): CAMPBELL, Mary.
Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: Malden, MA : Wiley-Blackwell, October 2008Social policy administration 42, 5, p. 524-541Abstract: Since 1997, labour has developed a wide range of childcare services, care leaves and flexible working hours. In 2000, the therm 'work-life balance' was introduced and has been used by Government Departments and by the academic community with very little discussion of its meaning vis à vis the use of 'family-friendly' policies, or the promotion of 'work and family balance'. We explore the introduction of the term work-life balance, the reasons for it, and its significance at the policy level, especially in terms of its implications for the pursuit of gender equality. We fund that at the policy level, it use was more a matter of strategic framing than substantive change. Nevertheless, because of the UK Government's largely gender-neutral approach to the whole policy field, it is important to make explicit the tensions in the continuing use of the ter work-life balance, particulary in relation to the achievement of gender equality
Since 1997, labour has developed a wide range of childcare services, care leaves and flexible working hours. In 2000, the therm 'work-life balance' was introduced and has been used by Government Departments and by the academic community with very little discussion of its meaning vis à vis the use of 'family-friendly' policies, or the promotion of 'work and family balance'. We explore the introduction of the term work-life balance, the reasons for it, and its significance at the policy level, especially in terms of its implications for the pursuit of gender equality. We fund that at the policy level, it use was more a matter of strategic framing than substantive change. Nevertheless, because of the UK Government's largely gender-neutral approach to the whole policy field, it is important to make explicit the tensions in the continuing use of the ter work-life balance, particulary in relation to the achievement of gender equality
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