Employer-Employee Differences in the Implementation, Awareness, and Perceived Availability of Work-Life Balance Support Programs

Abstract

This study explores the implementation, awareness, and perceived availability of work-life balance support programs, which in previous studies have been surveyed and analyzed primarily from the perspective of employers or HR managers. The focus here is on comparing survey responses of workers and employers. Both workers and employers reported low rates of flextime implementation. The awareness gap between workers and HR managers was relatively small for programs like ‘reduced hours for parents with child-care responsibilities’ and ‘family care leave.’ Awareness and perceived availability of these programs differed depending on workplace size and industry. HR managers and workers at larger firms, government agencies, and public organizations were consistently more aware of the work-life balance support programs and found them more accessible for use. These findings suggest that, without broad structural changes, expanding work-life balance support alone may disproportionately benefit certain worker groups.