Balancing act: Work vs. life
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Join CNN International for a series of reports as we look at the struggle to balance the challenges of work and the requirements of daily life.
Time vs. technology
Technology was meant to free us from the 9-to-5 grind and create more time for leisure. Instead, mobile phones, pagers and other gadgets have tied us closer to our jobs. Jim Boulden looks at what went wrong. (Full story)
The price of being nice
The workplace is demanding an ever increasing share of our emotional resources. Employers expect workers to not only perform the job, but act empathetic, friendly and fit-in. Maggie Lake takes a look at why being perky is so important and the downsides of being nice all the time. (Full story)
Has 9-to-5 had its day?
For more than 30 percent of today's work force a 9-to-5 routine is a thing of the past. Shift work can mean greater flexibility -- but also serious health risks. Diana Muriel took a ride with one shift worker aboard the Eurostar cross-channel train service to get a better idea of the highs and lows of working shifts. (Full story)
The baby or the bonus
When you're racing up the career ladder, does motherhood mean having to jump off it? Mallika Kapur talks with two women who have found their work-life balance by choosing part-time careers. (Full story)
Trading down or tuning out
Jim Boulden looks at a few people who have stepped back from a high-powered, hectic schedule for a more balanced lifestyle. But as he reports, downshifting isn't for everyone. (Full story)
