Work-life balance as a strategic risk and opportunity for the construction industry

The Australian construction industry is facing a critical shortage of human resources, which is negatively impacting the realisation of both project and organisational objectives. One method of addressing the labour shortage is through the application of strategies designed to assist employees to attain work-life balance. Failure to address employees' work-life balance concerns can negatively impact upon individuals and construction organisations' ability to meet its objectives. Conversely, providing a better work-life balance can improve the construction industry's ability to recruit, develop and retain talented employees and support the long term sustainability of the construction industry. A theory of work-life balance as an area of strategic risk but also of opportunity is developed in this literature based discussion paper