"High-performance" management practices, working hours and work-life balance

The effects of selected high-performance practices and working hours on work–life balance are analysed with data from national surveys of British employees in 1992 and 2000. Alongside long hours, which are a constant source of negative job-to-home spillover, certain ‘high-performance’ practices have become more strongly related to negative spillover during this period. Surprisingly, dual-earner couples are not especially liable to spillover — if anything, less so than single-earner couples. Additionally, the presence of young children has become less important over time. Overall, the results suggest a conflict between high-performance practices and work-life balance policies.