Work life balance at the hospitality industry

Abstract

The hospitality industry is a growing and diversified sector whose most important resource - as in any other service industry - is people and thus, the management of human resources is a critical activity and should not be treated lightly. However, the new 24/7 economy escenario represents a burden to offering the best work conditions in order to achieve the maximum efficiency and productivity. This paper suggests that human resources management should not only be concerned on ensuring that jobs are well executed and numerical results but should also consider the aspects which directly or indirectly affect individual employees effectiveness. This paper defines the concept work-life balance (WLB) related to efficiency and productivity in the specific context of the hospitality industry and provides a list of good practices for HR professionals who are willing to tackle the WLB conflict at their workplaces. Indeed, it provides with knowledge on how WLB practices can influence employees’ engagement and thus, their retention, in the hospitality industry. The researchers have supported their findings with a summary of the existing literature that covers the concepts of WLB, WLB in the hospitality industry and HRM (Human Resources Management) practices related to WLB in the hospitality industry; and a research addressed to both employees of the hospitality industry and human resources managers through online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews