Yet firms are not always aware of how to go about doing this, Ms Claire Chiang, the new chairman of the Employer Alliance (EA), noted yesterday.

It is an area that the alliance aims to tackle in the year ahead in a variety of ways, including studying what works in companies.

The Employer Alliance is a network of corporations committed to the principle of work-life integration.

Outlining her plans for the EA, Ms Chiang said her main aim is to raise awareness and help companies, especially small and medium-size enterprises, develop work-life strategies and retain talent.

First, a book entitled Integration And Achieving Work-Life will be launched today. It contains case studies of 11 companies, both large and small.

These profiles show how policies such as flexible working hours and telecommuting have led to better staff morale and higher productivity for the companies featured.

'There is no single formula for work-life integration. But documenting the approaches of different companies will allow other companies to see which strategies fit their corporate profile and the needs of their employees,' said Ms Chiang, who has taken over as EA chairman from Ms Patricia Yim, former managing director of IBM Singapore.

Representatives from about 130 organisations, including several chambers of commerce, are expected to attend the book launch. They will also take part in discussions on how to develop work-life strategies.

To spread the message of work-life integration, the EA will soon place advertisements in the media to encourage companies to adopt family-friendly practices such as the offering of childcare services and paternity leave.

Ms Chiang said the alliance also plans to commission studies on the economic and psychological benefits of a better work-life balance.

The alliance will collaborate with local tertiary institutions to offer courses and accreditation in work-life integration. This will help grow the local pool of human resource professionals with such expertise, said Ms Chiang, who is Banyan Tree's senior vice-president (retail).

kenkwek@sph.com.sg