The workers in modern businesses face growing pressure as they attempt to combine their work with a family life and its associated responsibilities. This is a very relevant issue in many countries, but the approaches taken by governments, trades unions and employers' organizations show a great variety.

The Harmonization of Working Life and Family Life includes seven national reports, representing a wide spectrum of approaches and measures. A review of the national reports reveals the variety of national approaches.

In many cases, measures such as flexible working hours and part-time working have been adopted without the specific intention of facilitating working and family life, but the result has nevertheless been beneficial in this area. Other countries have made the harmonization of work and family life the hallmark of their labour relations systems.