The Effect on Work-Life Balance in Corporate America

The Effect on Work-Life Balance in Corporate America

Submitted by

Marsha Ann Tisler

Prepared for

Professor Robin Norton

HRDV 5000 Human Resource Development

Webster University

May 4, 2012

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORSHIP: I certify that I am the author. I have cited all sources from which I used data, ideas, or words, either quoted directly or paraphrased. I also certify that this paper was prepared by me specifically for this course.

05/04/2012

Marsha Ann Tisler Date

I. Introduction

The Cambridge dictionary defines “work-life balance as the amount of time you spend doing your job compared with the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you enjoy.” (Work-Life Balance, 2011) Corporate America has come to the conclusion that in order to recruit and sustain an educated workforce they must focus more on work life balance programs. “Of the over 1000 people polled by www.SodaHead.com, 36 percent say they do not feel they have a proper work/life balance and that they spend more time working. …When the results are analyzed by gender, 39 percent of men feel they spend more time working than with family, while 30 percent of women feel they don’t have the right work/life balance.” (Daily Document Update, 2012)

Many corporations have instituted programs to help their employees begin to regain a balance between work and home. Almost all major corporations have EAP or Employee Assistance Programs, which assist their employees with anything from emotional needs, substance abuse counseling to free consultations with attorneys. Many corporations have installed gyms and fitness centers to help their employees with both weight loss and recreation. Some major companies such as Citigroup have on-site daycares and doctor’s offices for their employees. By offering these services on site it decreases the day to day attrition rates and increases employee morale.

The newest trend in work-life balance...