Work-life balance

18 September 2017

Work–life balance is a satisfactory state of equilibrium between an individual’s work and private life. Enabling a better work–life balance for workers across the life course has been an EU policy goal for many years as it is central to ensuring that work is sustainable for all. 

On 26 April 2017, the Commission launched the European Pillar of Social Rights package. This includes an initiative to support work–life balance for parents and carers. The initiative aims to address women's underrepresentation in the labour market and outlines a number of new or improved minimum standards for parental, paternity and carer’s leave.

Eurofound's work

Data collection

Eurofound’s European Quality of Life Surveys (EQLS) provide comparisons between countries on the reconciliation of work and family life, flexible working time arrangements and the provision of quality care services. The European Company Surveys (ECS) provide data on why and how companies make use of a broad variety of working time arrangements. The European Working Conditions Surveys (EWCS) look at the organisation of working time across the EU and issues related to it including flexible arrangements, working time preferences and work–life balance.

The European Observatory of Working Life (EurWORK) provides information on working conditions and sustainable work including a database on wages, working time and collective disputes. Eurofound has also estimated the economic and social costs of the gender employment gap and can offer information on the creation of employment in care services.

Data visualisation

Featured: Foundation Focus on solutions for work–life balance

23 December 2016 - This issue of Foundation Focus looks at work–life balance and some of the factors that help or hinder workers in combining working with non-working life. Since average working hours have been decreasing steadily, it asks whether work–life balance still matters. How can the Working Time Directive help, and what role do flexible working time policies have? What specific supports are needed by those with care responsibilities for children or adults? Work–life balance is connected to other aspects of life, including the need for high-quality childcare, addressing the gender employment gap and making provision for older workers who cannot continue in full-time work.
Work–life balance: Creating solutions for everyone

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