Work–life balance and gig work: ‘Where are we now’ and ‘where to next’ with the work–life balance agenda?

Tracey Warren

doi:10.1177/00221856211007161

Abstract

The article asks ‘where are we’ in the study of work–life balance within Industrial Relations and ‘where to next’ if we are to identify levers for positive change in workplace gender equality as technology brings the potential for smoothing or disrupting how women and men from different class groups work and care. It first shines a classed lens on the mainstream work–life balance agenda to pinpoint limitations in its heavy focus on the time squeezes reported by financially secure middle-class workers and its neglect of money matters. Then, via an enhanced conceptualisation, the article considers the ramifications of the growth in gig work for work–life balance. Gig work is promoted as offering flexibility and autonomy, enabling carers to work and care, but it is performed without the safety nets that are more common in formal employment. It can bring unpredictability in both work-time and income, work intensification and financial hardship that all impact work–life balance. ‘Where to next’ is developing a more inclusive approach that recognises gender, class and other types of diversity in order to lever workplace gender equality for all.

Highlights

The article asks ‘where are we’ in the study of work–life balance within Industrial Relations and ‘where to ’ if we are to identify levers for positive change in workplace gender equality as technology brings the potential for smoothing or disrupting how women and men from different class groups work and care
The article utilises a re-working of the orthodox work–life balance model: it brings money matters in to the ordinarily time-based approach
It uses this more holistic understanding of work–life balance to consider the potential of gig work, and its risks, for work–life balance, time and money

Summary

Introduction

The article asks ‘where are we’ in the study of work–life balance within Industrial Relations and ‘where to ’ if we are to identify levers for positive change in workplace gender equality as technology brings the potential for smoothing or disrupting how women and men from different class groups work and care. Keywords Class, gender equality, gig work, money, time, work–life balance The lauded flexibility and autonomy over work-time might come handin-hand with unpredictability in hours, and income insecurity, potentially leading to work intensification and financial hardship that both impact work–life balance and undermine workplace gender equality.

Results

Conclusion