Workplace practices and work-life balance in Europe: the role of gender and home and family care

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the ways in which work practices promote work-life balance when family time is available (as a spillover effect from work to personal life) and how differently they affect men and women. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative and longitudinal approach is taken based on data from a large database made up of 71,758 workers from 36 European countries, collected in 2021 by the European Working Conditions Survey. After preliminary analysis (including exploratory and confirmatory factorial analysis), the partial least square method was used to test the hypothesis of the conceptual model. Findings The results of this study reveal that some work practices (autonomy and confidence at work) positively affect work-life balance. The time available for family and domestic care positively affects work-life balance, and this effect is more relevant for women than for men. Practical implications These results are important for organizations that wish to promote not only family-friendly work practices but also above all gender-friendly work practices. Originality/value Based on a large sample of European workers, this study makes an important contribution by filling the gap on the understanding and importance of mechanisms outside the organizational context for promoting work-life balance through work practices, thus extending the notion of spillover effects while considering gender differences.