KeyChanges

Business globalisation - In a globally international economy, employees need to have an effective work-life balance to enable them to work effectively across culture and time zones in dynamically changing business environment; companies in USA even address the needs of employees who have to be in touch with the other side world by providing a 'fully equipped' home office and permitting such staff to set their own business hours;

Diversity of customer and workforce base - With the internationalisation of many major cities including Singapore, having a workforce, which enjoys a work-life balance will ensure respect for corporate citizens as there is an increasing concern world-wide for the balance. In fact, western economies have dedicated organisations and strong governmental support for work-life balance; some even incorporate work-life balance concerns into either the employment contract or the collective agreement with the Union at the workplace;

Changing labour demographics - The changing profile in the employment marketplace demands fulfilling of completely different needs. Whilst older generations were willing to commit entire lives to work for job security and life time employment, the new generation of workers are knowledge workers who perceive life employability comes from constant lifelong learning and not from claimed assurance of employers of life time jobs; these younger workers demand a balance between work and life;

Legal obligation and social trends - Fair employment practices and a workplace free of discrimination and harassment is a clear signal to employers that for business to succeed and thrive, exploitation of labour to work long hours is just not allowed; the demand for fostering and creating family friendly policies is becoming a must

Workplace relationships - As more diverse workforce is recruited, organisations need to adapt their culture to the working environment to enable people to work effectively.