Work life balance for women in age group 25 - 40, is it achievable?

Much research has been carried out on Work-Life Balance but little has been done on women only, for whom the balance is more critical than for men. Because of many factors the number of women in the work-place has increased rapidly in recent decades and a great many more are progressing up career paths while, in most cases, are still the main family carers. It was felt that a survey of these women was essential to get an idea of how they are juggling the various aspects of what they do, what they would like to have changed and whether a work-life balance can be achieved. For this purpose a survey was carried out by questionnaire and three of the respondents were interviewed in depth. An intensive investigation was made of the literature and research on work-life balance and its importance to organisations and to society in general. Conclusions are presented and recommendations for further research with the expectation that in time family-friendly policies would become central to the thinking of organisations on the basis that a happy, healthy work force is a productive one