The Work-Life Balance

The expression the "work-life balance" first cameindividual workers and the workforce as a whole, the
about in the 1970's, as a way to express theUnited States introduced laws in order to help
relationship between a person's working life andemployees in the 1990's. The Family and Medical
private life. First used in 1986 in the United States, thisLeave Act (FMLA) of 1993 protects eligible employees
concept has increased in importance as the separationfrom negative consequences due to personal or
of the private and professional sectors of life haveimmediate family major events, such as the birth of a
continued to grow.child or serious illness. Additionally, Massachusetts
Over the past two decades, a substantial increase inenacted the Small Necessities Act of 1998 to expand
work, due to improving information technologythe rights protected by FMLA. The Small Necessities
capabilities in business and a highly competitive workAct guarantees workers twenty-four hours of unpaid
environment, causes many workers to experienceleave during any twelve month period in order to allow
burnout and excessive stress. From 1977 to 1997, fullworkers to participate in their children's after school
time workers have increased their weekly workingactivities or in order to help an older relative with a
hours from 43.6 to 47.1, not including travel time to anddoctor's appointment.
from work. This trend is present in all lines of work,Overall, the United States is not as workplace
from blue-collar jobs to white-collar upperfamily-oriented as many other comparable countries.
management jobs. The stress and overexertionFor example, the United States is one of only five
experienced by employees has resulted in workplacecountries out of 173 that does not guarantee paid
violence, greater absenteeism, and a larger number ofmaternity leave. For sick days, 145 countries provide
worker's compensation claims.sick days for their employees; the United States has
According to the Center for Work-Life Policy, about 1.7no federal law requiring paid sick days. Additionally, the
million people consider their jobs and work hours to beUnited States does not have a maximum work week
excessive. Additionally, workers in high stress situationsand has no overarching limit on the amount of
are three times more likely to suffer fromovertime worked.
stress-related medical conditions and twice as likely toIf you would like to learn more, this overtime regulations
quit their jobs.website can provide more helpful information.
In response to these negative changes in both