The quest for work-life balance

Despite the large number of studies on work-life balance conducted in the West, there is comparatively less published research on work-life balance within the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia-Pacific is home to 60 per cent of the world’s population (approximately 4.3 billion people) and countries such as Japan, Singapore, China, and Malaysia are frequently ranked at the bottom of nationally comparative work-life balance indices. Workers in these countries have likened work-life balance to an “elusive unicorn”. The authors address this oversight by conducting a review of existing work-life balance policies and practices in Asia-Pacific countries, with a focus on employment laws, parental leave policies, and gender discrimination protection, to understand the nature of work-life balance issues in the Asia-Pacific. They then compare these work-life balance policies and practices, and identify key strengths and limitations, and future research opportunities. Where relevant, the findings are organised based on the sub-regions within the Asia-Pacific, namely, Australasia, Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.