Work–life balance commonly refers to flexible work practices such as part-time/job-share arrangements, working from home and flexible working hours (e.g. changing the start and finish times of the day) — the aim being for workers to achieve a balance between their work and home lives.

Now more than ever work-life balance is incredibly important to all workers, not just typically working mothers. Employers offer an array of flexible choices including reduced hours, flexi-time or telework (working from home). Other initiatives include creating more family-friendly environments; responsive workplace policies; and including work/life issues in the business planning process. See Flexible working arrangements.

Implementing balance can be challenging for employers when managing both the individual needs of the worker along with the overall needs of the business. To find out more information on how your business can be flexible, see Implementing work and life balance.