Background information

Current major trends like digitisation and increasingly fast-paced and flexible markets reshape the borders of work and non-work relationships. The rise of information and communication technologies makes it possible for many individuals to work from anywhere and at any time, and have 24/7 communication with their colleagues, customers and employers. In addition, the growing number of flexible work arrangements coupled with a rising number of employees in single parent, dual career or ‘sandwiched’ (caring for older people and children) families have increased the necessity to find ways to effectively manage the borders between work and non-work activities.

In this presentation we will focus on employees’ boundary control – defined as the degree to which an individual perceives they are in control of how they manage the boundaries between work and family life. We illustrate why organisations should promote boundary control of their employees and how they succeed in doing so.

What will the round-table cover?

The following discussion focuses on the management between the work and the private spheres.

• Sharing is caring: what boundary management techniques do you use?
• What are the roles of information and communication technologies for effective boundary management?
• What can leaders do to promote effective boundary management?