STRIKING A BALANCE - THE FUTURE OF WORK AND FAMILY ISSUES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

This chapter reviews previous literature related to men and women in t he hospitality workforce and summarizes the challenges they have confr onted as they strive to develop careers while maintaining family commi tments. Current trends such as globalization, diversity, and technolog y are described and their impact on the hospitality workplace assessed . Specific actions that progressive hospitality organizations have tak en as they address the need for a more responsive and flexible workpla ce are presented. Finally, suggestions are proposed for how educators and practitioners might work together to assist employees in increasin g their quality of life and in achieving family and work balance. It s eems likely that fundamental shifts in the basic assumptions affecting employee policies are necessary before organizational attitudes and p ractices will result in greater work and family balance for service em ployees.