IBEC Statement

If you're an employer in Ireland in 10 years time, work-life balance could be one of the most important issues on your agenda. Our workforce is changing and our ways of working are developing all of the time. New technology gives us new opportunities and new flexibilities. Looking at Ireland's demographics, we know that today over 50% of women are currently going onto third level education compared to only 40% of men. We must encourage these highly qualified people to continue to participate in our workforce. The 20 to 24 year old bracket is the most populated age group. In ten years time many of these people will be working parents. Employers know that in order to attract and retain the best and the brightest, they must continue to develop work-life balance policies.

Research has shown that the availability of work-life balance policies has been a contributing factor to the increases in Irish female labour force participation. We are currently at the EU average of 56% and we have a target to move to 60% by 2010 under the Lisbon Process. Flexible working and leave arrangements have enabled many women to reconcile work with their caring responsibilities. They have also encouraged women who would have previously had to leave work to stay in the workforce.

There has been an increase in the number of men availing of work flexibility to take up caring responsibilities. Also many households are now moving from the "male breadwinner" model to "dual responsibility" in the home. However, research by the National Framework Committee for Work-Life Balance shows that women are still the main carers. Only 27% of men compared to 62% of women have modified their working time since becoming parents.

Accommodating the needs of working parents will not be the only labour force issue facing business in 10 years. An ageing population will also be an issue. Figures from the Central Statistics Office estimate that by 2011 the Irish population in the 45-69 year old category will have increased by 24%. People will probably have longer working lives and work-life balance will have an important role to play in motivating employees over this longer period of employment.

IBEC believes that if Ireland is to remain competitive in the future, there will need to be an increased business priority put on developing appropriate work-life balance policies. IBEC is also of the view that work-life balance won't work if it's implemented on a "stand alone basis". Work-life balance policies need to be an integral part of the overall business strategy if they are to compliment the needs of the business for flexibility and help to attract and retain highly skilled and valuable employees.

We all need to understand that work life balance is not only an issue for working parents but is an issue for all workers. As the world of work changes, many men and women may wish to avail of flexible arrangements at different stages in their lives. If these can be matched to the business needs we have potential for a win-win situation.

Turlough O'Sullivan, IBEC Director General