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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess how work‐life polices and practices have the potential to enhance opportunities for women in the workplace (and opportunities for men to be more involved in family life), but are often undermined by workplace culture.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a case study of an organisation which is addressing issues of workplace culture in relation to work‐life policies and gender equality.FindingsDespite achieving substantial change in practice and in shared assumptions, a new set of issues have emerged which will require innovative solutions.Originality/valueThe paper offers insights into how restructuring workplace cultures can present the ultimate work‐family challenge.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reflect on the paper "Restructuring workplace cultures: the ultimate work‐family challenge?" is published inWomen in Management Review, Vol. 16 No. 1, 2001, pp. 21‐9.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of the paper is considered within a framework that takes account of national discursive and political contexts in the UK in 2001 and in the present and uses a gendered organisation lens.FindingsThe 2001 paper demonstrates that progress towards changes in culture and practice to support gender equity engenders new issues, which, in turn, also need to be addressed. Reassessing these issues at the end of the decade it is clear that there are some changes but also some continuities, rooted in deeply engrained gendered workplace (and family) assumptions.Practical implicationsFurther culture change will be needed to overcome persistent barriers to effective work‐life policies. This will involve challenging gendered assumptions about ideal workers and ideal working patterns. More support from public policy that recognises men's work and family needs and responsibilities is also needed to overcome inequities among male and female dominated workplaces.Originality/valueThese reflections and the original paper highlight the non‐linear nature of change towards gender equity in the workplace. New solutions raise further problems to be addressed. Gender equity is a process not an end point so constant evaluation and innovation are needed.

Work‐life polices and practices have the potential to enhance opportunities for women in the workplace (and opportunities for men to be more involved in family life), but are often undermined by workplace culture. Presents a case study of an organisation which is addressing issues of workplace culture in relation to work‐life policies and gender equality. Despite achieving substantial change in practice and in shared assumptions, a new set of issues have emerged which will require innovative solutions.

Dual‐career families were first identified and discussed by British
researchers but subsequent research has been predominantly American.
This article first discusses the social context for couples combining
careers and family in Britain. It then addresses the questions of
whether gender roles within the family, and employers′ expectations are
changing with the growth of dual‐career families. It concludes that
change is slow to occur and that changes in work and family are
interdependent. Implications for further organisational change are
briefly discussed.

This article explores young European women and men's expectations of support - from the state and employers - for reconciling paid employment and family life. It is based on a qualitative study employing focus groups with young women and men in Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Ireland and the UK. Drawing on the concept of sense of entitlement, derived from social justice theory, it was expected that the type of welfare state and 'gender contract' that young adults have experienced will influence their sense of entitlement to support for work and family life. Findings indicate that participants perceived their entitlement to state and employer support differently across national context. However this is moderated by gender, parental and occupational status, and particularly by awareness of provisions in other countries in the case of state support, while perceived entitlement to employer support varies according to the specific policy considered, gender and perception of benefits to employers. Some implications for public policy makers and employers are discussed.

Transitions toparenthood in Europe; Contents; List of tables and figures; Figures; Notes on contributors; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. Cross-national comparisons: the history-biography link; Introduction; A life course perspective: theoretical and conceptual topics; Cross-national societies: historical and current contexts; Before the fall of the Iron Curtain; After the fall of communism, 1990-200314; Conclusion; 3. Methodological approaches, practices and reflections; Introduction; Cross-national comparative case-based research; Biographical interviews; Lifeline analysis.

This book takes a life course perspective, analysing and comparing the biographies of mothers and fathers in seven European countries in context.

Based upon cross-national case studies of public and private sector workplaces, "Work, families and organisations in transition" illustrates how workplace practices and policies impact on employees' experiences of "work-life balance" in contemporary shifting contexts

Based upon cross-national case studies of public and private sector workplaces, Work, families and organisations in transition illustrates how workplace practices and policies impact on employees' experiences of work-life balance in contemporary shifting contexts.

Based upon cross-national case studies of public and private sector workplaces, "Work, families and organisations in transition" illustrates how workplace practices and policies impact on employees' experiences of "work-life balance" in contemporary shifting contexts.

A pivotal challenge in the global context -- Evolutions and developments in seven countries -- Thinking about change at multiple levels -- The invasiveness of paid work -- Care and connections : families, communities, friendships, and care of the self -- Reciprocal relationships between men and women : a critical issue -- Visions and strategies for change.