Designing organizational solutions to integrate work and life

Abstract

In September 1996, Fleet Financial Group and the Radcliffe Public Policy Institute undertook a one‐year pilot project addressing a “dual agenda” – reexamining work processes to achieve positive business outcomes while also helping employees better integrate work responsibilities with life outside of work. The chosen sites for the experiments were a retail/small business banking unit and a portfolio management unit. Radcliffe‐Fleet Project researchers employed two key methods: dual context and action research. Using this methodology, interventions and measures of success of the interventions were developed collaboratively with management and employees. Even in these competitive, deadline‐driven work environments, quantitative measures and qualitative assessments at each site showed a positive relationship between business outcomes and quality of life outcomes. The researchers develop guidelines for companies interested in replication of this project. Several principles are also identified for sustaining the success of effective work‐life integration interventions and institutionalizing the “dual agenda” in the workplace.

Citation

Rayman, P., Bailyn, L., Dickert, J., Carré, F., Harvey, M., Krim, R. and Read, R. (1999), "Designing organizational solutions to integrate work and life", Women in Management Review, Vol. 14 No. 5, pp. 164-177. https://doi.org/10.1108/09649429910281934