Men urged to find balance between work and pleasure

EMPLOYEES who maintain a healthy balance between their work and personal life are more committed, loyal and productive, research revealed yesterday.

The research puts men mainly in the fast lane, involving continuous and often excessive hours in full-time employment.

Women, however, are mainly in the slow lane, working or seeking to work reduced hours and/or opting for career breaks.

“If these twin-track conditions continue or are accentuated, it will add to the existing evidence that work/life balance is for mothers of young children and hence to be avoided by other employees,” the research team said.

The study, Off the Treadmill, was commissioned by the National Framework Committee on Work/Life Balance and will be the subject of a conference for policy makers and practitioners in Farmleigh House, Dublin next month.

Minister for Labour Affairs Frank Fahey said the research identified the issues to be addressed in achieving a healthy balance and exploded the myth that it was simply a women’s issue.