Why has the concept of work life balance become such a focus concern Essay

Why has the concept of work life balance become such a focus concern in the past decade - Essay Example working from home, compressed work weeks and flexible working hours), leave arrangements (e.g. maternity leave, paternity leave, and leave to care for a sick dependent), dependent care assistance (e.g. on-site daycare, subsidised daycare, eldercare, and referral to child care), and general services (e.g. employee assistant programs, seminars and programs related to family needs)’. These initiatives give employees work flexibility and ensure that those depended on them, children and the elderly parents, are cared about, thus reducing the family-work conflict, as well as providing time to be spent for personal interests and hobbies, which reduces stress and increases employees’ satisfaction with life and work. The issue of work-life balance was aroused in the USA in the mid of 1980s, yet since then it has become only more vital. This was caused by a number of reasons. In this paper we are going to discuss the sources of the problem and highlight the aspects making it a pr oblem, as well as benefits of work-life balance. Work-life balance initiatives are essential for creating normal conditions of work for people. Reports and surveys indicating the problem have been released and conducted for several decades already. However, the issue continues acquiring its vitality. In May 2005 Europe was worried by the report released by the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) showing that the workers in 10 new state entrants to the European Union worked three weeks more than employees in 15 core EU countries. Voters blamed politicians for shrinking vacation period. The 22 days of paid vacations in Estonia, Lithuania, Poland ad Slovenia were perceived as the violation of human rights. Meanwhile, according to the Families and Work Institute report 79 percent of US employees got no more than 16,6 days of paid vacation in 2001, the figure having dropped to 14,6 days by 2004. About 37 percent of US workers took less

Contemporary Developments in Business and Management Essay - 6

Contemporary Developments in Business and Management - Essay Example So, in 2005, it actualized that plan by adopting the Diversity Program. This program apart from improving Nike’s ethical image, also positively impacted the business environment of Nike both in its external as well as in its internal environment, opening up a surge of opportunities and at the same time it also giving rise to challenges in certain aspects. So, this paper will analyze Nike’s internal as well as external business environment, focusing on how the current political and economic factors are influencing its decision making particularly regarding its Diversity program, ending with the recommendations on how to further optimize its functioning Nike Corporation is the world’s leading supplier and or manufacturer of sports equipments, athletic shoes and apparels. It was formed in 1964, and by 1980, it already had more than 50% market share in the United States. Nike has over five hundred factory or office locations in around 45 countries all over the world. Nike’s operations in UK are extensive with stores at many prominent places and manufacturing process is also going on. With such extensive locations, Nike, an American corporation has a sizeable percentage of employees from diverse groups. So, Nike is a very diverse company and focuses a great deal on improving diversity throughout the organisation. â€Å"This company operates on six continents, and employs around 23,000 people. Their suppliers, shippers, retailers and service providers employ close to 1 million people. The diversity inherent in such size is helping Nike evolve its role as a global company.† (Clarke et. al, 2005). But, as part of a p ositive image building exercise, Nike under the leadership of Phil Knight planned to increase that percentage to recognizable and optimum levels. So, in 2005, it actualized that plan by adopting the Diversity Program in its recruitment process. Phil