The article presents evidence from interviews in France, Spain and Poland to
explore how individual actors make choices about their work-life balance. It
shows that choice is a complex, contingent, and relative concept, which is both
facilitated and obstructed by public policies and working regulations. Despite
differences in national and sub-national policy contexts, institutional and
cultural norms and expectations, the article draws the conclusion that
family-friendly issues need to be mainstreamed and that the concerns of families
should be added to those of the state, trade unions and employers on the agenda
for negotiating work-life balance. It is also argued that the focus and scope of
industrial relations need to be rethought to take account of the gendered nature
of employment relationships.
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