Outline of the Report

This was a very difficult report to write due to an "embarrassment of riches." As noted previously, our request for comments generated over a thousand pages of excellent commentary, which reflected hundreds of different concerns and suggestions. The 33 main categories of comments generated over 150 subcategories of issues (see Appendix B). This made it difficult to decide which issues and quotes to include in the document. In order to maximize the impact of the report, it was decided to pick a small number of representative comments for as wide a variety of issues as possible. Interested readers can, however, find a more complete set of quotes (as well as quotes on issues not included in this report) on the authors' Web site.

The rest of the report is divided into five main parts, the first four of which correspond to the main categories of comments received. Part one focuses on the challenges and problems Canadian employees face as they try to balance work and life. Part two features positive observations with respect to work-life balance. Part three outlines how Canadians have achieved balance and focuses on personal solutions. Part four provides suggestions and recommendations on how governments, organizations and managers can facilitate work-life balance. The report concludes in part five with a summary and set of recommendations.

There is a vast academic literature dealing with the issue of work-life conflict. Most of the reports in this area focus on facts and figures. This report is different, in that it tells the stories behind the statistics by focusing on what Canadians have to say about their lives with respect to work, family and life. As such, it provides a clearer view of what both conflict and balance look and feel like from the point of view of Canadian employees and their families. It also explores what factors make balance problematic and looks at how Canadians and their families cope.

It is hoped that by putting a "human face" on the numbers, this report will provide business and labour leaders and policy makers with the impetus to develop and implement policies and practices that better support working Canadians. This report should also provide comfort to Canadian workers, as it demonstrates that they are not alone - other Canadians are facing the same set of challenges. By presenting quotes from Canadians who have achieved a balance, it may also give employees an improved understanding of how they can better cope with the multiple demands on their time and energy.