Cause or Cure: Technologies and Work-Life Balance

Knowledge workers whose employers allow them the freedom to access organizational resources from outside the premises, and/or outside normal working hours, are able to reach a new equilibrium in the balance between work and life. This research uses narrative method to obtain stories from a number of such knowledge workers in New Zealand, and observes how the participants make sense of the choices open to them, and reach decisions about them The research finds that despite expressed resentments, such people have tended to move the equilibrium in ways that accommodate more work. Implications of this research are that despite the short term productivity gains, organizations would do well to ensure that these well motivated staff are managed for their long term well being and continued contribution to the organization. .