ABSTRACT
The increase in attention from organisations to work–life balance issues is directly linked to the many benefits that have been discovered as associated with work–life balance for both the employer and employee. Initially regarded as an issue to be managed by the individual employee, work–life balance has taken a central position in the employment practices and policies of employers. Managing the work–life balance of seafarers requires much tact and ingenuity as not all the generic flexible workplace arrangements used in the traditional human resource settings could be applied in the shipping industry. Discrimination and wage issues not only upset seafarers but may also lead to stressful and traumatic episodes for them with work-family conflicts being a common outcome of the chains of reactions that ensue. Increased levels of illness on board ships, poor performance/productivity and unsafe working practices have all been linked to stress among seafarers.
