IOP3706 ASSIGNMENT 1
UNIQUE NO: 630913
QUESTION 1
1.1 Finding a balance between work and family life makes the following demands
on a couple:
o Quality communication – spending enough time on discussions about
themselves and their relationship
o Setting priorities – time spent on work, managing the home, child care,
leisure and other activities
o Clarifying values – challenge, growth, opportunity, security, recognition,
power and prestige
o Concerning hobbies – leisure, continued learning, religion
o Examining roles – weight each partner carries – provider, nurturer,
homemaker, bill payer
o Managing daily life – flexibility in a partner’s roles and tasks
o Managing stress – identifying sources, tackling the causes and taking
responsibility to manage own stress
Organisations can assist working couples to find a balance between work and
family life through the following considerations:
o Increased sensitivity towards the family situation
o Provision of workshops on managing work/home relations
o Including the partner in discussions
o Providing child care facilities
o Introducing flexible work schedules, work hours and work-at-home
programmes
o Handling relocation problems, such as assisting the spouse to find a new
position, offering spouse relocation assistance
o Providing training and opportunity for lateral moves for women to develop
managerial skills
o Providing job resources such as computers for family and work purposes
o Encouraging family members to become acquainted with organisational
structures
o Providing information on work and family policies and issues
o Providing alternative career paths apart from upward management
UNIQUE NO: 630913
QUESTION 1
1.1 Finding a balance between work and family life makes the following demands
on a couple:
o Quality communication – spending enough time on discussions about
themselves and their relationship
o Setting priorities – time spent on work, managing the home, child care,
leisure and other activities
o Clarifying values – challenge, growth, opportunity, security, recognition,
power and prestige
o Concerning hobbies – leisure, continued learning, religion
o Examining roles – weight each partner carries – provider, nurturer,
homemaker, bill payer
o Managing daily life – flexibility in a partner’s roles and tasks
o Managing stress – identifying sources, tackling the causes and taking
responsibility to manage own stress
Organisations can assist working couples to find a balance between work and
family life through the following considerations:
o Increased sensitivity towards the family situation
o Provision of workshops on managing work/home relations
o Including the partner in discussions
o Providing child care facilities
o Introducing flexible work schedules, work hours and work-at-home
programmes
o Handling relocation problems, such as assisting the spouse to find a new
position, offering spouse relocation assistance
o Providing training and opportunity for lateral moves for women to develop
managerial skills
o Providing job resources such as computers for family and work purposes
o Encouraging family members to become acquainted with organisational
structures
o Providing information on work and family policies and issues
o Providing alternative career paths apart from upward management
