2011

Mustosmäki, Armi; Anttila, Timo; Oinas, Tomi; Nätti, Jouko

The issues of work-life balance and job quality have assumed a central position on the political agenda due to concerns about the economic and social sustainability of European societies. Across Europe, global competition, technological change and economic restructuring, and the expansion of the service sector are common developments that are perceived as threats to job quality (Gallie, 2002). The risks are thought to be accentuated for women, since they represent the more flexible and vulnerable labour reserve. Job quality and opportunities for balancing work with other spheres of life are considered essential for retaining and attracting workers, especially women, into the labour market (e.g., Smith et al., 2008).