ABSTRACT
Since the establishment of the modern work practices of the Industrial Age, the nature and demands of work have continuously changed. In the global economy that is operational 24/7, 365 days of the year, it was thought that working longer and harder would yield greater productivity. This, however increased conflicting work and family demands further leading to, among other things, acute experiences of strain, stress, and burnout. Lengthy exposure to high levels of stress causes physical, psychological, and behavioral overloads, placing employees at risk of physical or psychological injury. Thus, respite was offered as a potential vehicle for the alleviation of such outcomes. This chapter sets the respite research in its theoretical framework, explaining what is measured and how.
