Sustainable Work-Family Balance in Qatar: The Challenges & Prospects

Abstract

The fast pace modern working life in the twenty first century has resulted in economic shifts and has created social needs, which forced women to work side by side with men. The number of women joining the workforce is constantly increasing. This has resulted in a situation in which working women face considerable pressure to develop a career as advanced as their male counterparts, while also assuming an active engagement with their personal lives. Work-family balance (WFB) is even harder in the Qatari society where the family is seen as the core and cornerstone of society. WFB is a complex issue that involves financial values, social exchange, gender roles, career achievement, and many other factors. _x000D_ In Qatar and in other Arab countries, women are achieving higher education and they are more involved in the workplace. Simultaneously, they are still more likely to be looking after their family and children. This thesis aims to investigate to what extent the Human Resources Laws starting from 2015, particularly in the government sector in Qatar, are adequate in reconciling and addressing specific issues related to Qatari employees particularly women such as nursing (feeding) hours, childbirth, last months of pregnancy, maternity leaves, etc._x000D_ In addition, this paper will outline the challenges that female employees face when they go from being single to being married, and how any difficulties that arise in this regard can be mitigated. Moreover, an inspection will be made of similar laws in other countries that have had successful outcomes in the workplace. The thesis aims to discuss and explore the issues that Qatari employees face with regards to the WFB and provide potential solutions to those issues.

Date of Award	2020
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Islamic Studies