Quality of Life and Work in a Changing Europe: A Theoretical Framework

Abstract

Chapter 2 discusses the theoretical framework of this study, which explores the quality of work and life in eight European countries. Unlike many previous quality of life studies, our study looks at multiple life domains and the way they impact on one another. The rise of dual-earner families and the increase in the number of qualified women entering the labour market are forcing more people to combine paid work and care responsibilities or other life activities. Consequently, people increasingly need to adapt their working life to their private and family life and vice versa. Life becomes more complicated when trying to juggle two jobs, children’s school timetables and hobbies, and a social life. In addition, increased flexibility and advanced technology — for example, flexible working hours, e-mail and mobile phones — affect the permeability of work and family boundaries (Kossek et al., 2005). As a result, the work and household domains increasingly interact with and influence each other. Any analysis of the quality of life of workers must consider both domains as well as people’s ability to successfully manage their work and private life. Problems or conflicts between work and family life can have negative impacts on health and well-being (for example, OECD, 2001).