Trends in the work environment and in the family are making it increasingly difficult for families in many countries as they are caught in a “time-money squeeze” between family caring responsibilities and the demands of work. The “squeeze” can be particularly difficult when public and enterprise policies are “blind” to the problems that workers are facing.

Measures at the national, community and workplace levels can have a major impact on the extent of the conflicts and pressures experienced by workers and potential workers with family responsibilities. The less-than-satisfactory solutions which families are sometimes forced to find for lack of other alternatives affect not only the well-being and quality of life of workers and their families but have major repercussions for the society as a whole including enterprises and other work organizations.

The Work and Family Information Sheets provide examples of what is being done by governments, employers, trade unions and other concerned organizations to help reduce the conflict between work and family responsibilities.