The Government was urged today to improve statutory leave entitlements for working parents and carers.
Niall Crowley, chief executive of the Equality Authority, said at a conference in Cork: "More and more couples with children are both working. Carers, people with disabilities and migrant workers are increasingly present in the Irish workplace."
He emphasised these changes mean that more attention must be paid to work-life balance issues to maintain employee well-being as well as promoting good business performance.
Mr Crowley added that the situation could be improved "by placing a requirement on employers to make reasonable accommodation for the special needs of employees".
Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin told the National Framework Committee for Work-Life Balance seminar employers must consider offering flexible working hours to staff.
"Work-life balance is not just about limiting the number of hours spent at work. It is also about giving people a degree of autonomy as to how their working time is managed," he said.
He added that a "win-win" situation can exist for employers and employees "where there are agreed flexible working arrangements".
Sally Anne Kinahan from Ictu said that the Government should use legislation to underpin any drive towards flexible working. She pointed out that life for many people has changed dramatically over the past decade and "work culture and environment must change to keep up with that.
"Working people now face the strain of longer commuting times and ongoing problems with regard to childcare," she said.
Donagh Corcoran of Ibec said: "In Ireland, Government, the business community and society as a whole will have to prepare for the challenges ahead by making choices now and identifying key priorities if we are to be ready for the changes that will result."