Professor TRACEY WARREN TRACEY.WARREN@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY
Global work-life balance trailblazing: how to lead the world in work-life balance, with insights from Denmark
Warren, Tracey; Hyltoft, Lene
Authors
Lene Hyltoft
Abstract
Purpose
The article asks how to lead the world in work–life balance (WLB) societal rankings, identifies the major WLB challenges in contemporary societies and rethinks how we conceptualise and measure WLB.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a case-study of Denmark, a world leader in global WLB-rankings. Expert-insider interviews were carried out with 12 experts who work in the field of WLB. The participants were engaged day-to-day in the field of interest, exerting real-world influence.
Findings
We affirm the importance for WLB of battling over-long hours in the workplace. We provide evidence too that having sufficient hours of work, and being financially secure, are as significant for WLB as is avoiding overwork.
Originality/value
The article interrogates international WLB-rankings and offers original insights into a global WLB-leader. It makes the case for improving how we conceptualise and measure WLB to also progress policies and practice. Rather than viewing WLB as largely about avoiding a time-squeeze, the article argues that it is fundamentally about the conditions under which people work.
Citation
Warren, T., & Hyltoft, L. (2024). Global work-life balance trailblazing: how to lead the world in work-life balance, with insights from Denmark. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-06-2024-0287
| Journal Article Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Date | Nov 5, 2024 |
| Online Publication Date | Dec 3, 2024 |
| Publication Date | Dec 3, 2024 |
| Deposit Date | Nov 15, 2024 |
| Publicly Available Date | Dec 3, 2024 |
| Journal | International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy |
| Print ISSN | 0144-333X |
| Publisher | Emerald |
| Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-06-2024-0287 |
| Keywords | Denmark; global rankings; work-life balance; worktime |
| Public URL | https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/41924781 |
| Publisher URL | https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ijssp-06-2024-0287/full/html |
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