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Human Relations
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Quality of life: Obstacles, advice, and employer assistance

Elise Dallimore

Northeastern Universitye.dallimore{at}neu.edu

Amy Mickel

California State University Sacramentomickela{at}csus.edu

This exploratory study examines obstacles working professionals face in their efforts to enhance quality of life including a discussion of the advice and employer assistance they desire. Based on a discursive formations’ framework, research findings emerged with implications for organizations including the importance of: a) clarifying expectations for employees, b) addressing employees’ desire for various types of advice, c) acknowledging obstacles that are internallybased, and d) understanding employees’ perceptions of work environments. A category of general-life issues (which bridge work and non-work domains) also emerged from the data.

Key Words: discursive formations • organizational practices • qualitative methods • quality of life • work-life issues

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Human Relations, Vol. 59, No. 1, 61-103 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0018726706062759
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