Work-life: win-win - At the heart of our special issue is a major IRS investigation into measures to support working parents and carers in a panel of more than 80 named emploving organisations - detailing the strategies used, how provision is managed and what chan-es can be expected in the coming months. Most of our respondents are already well down the path of becoming "family-friendly" in the way they approach a range of core and peripheral employment issues, and a majority are planning further initiatives. Few of the changes are a direct result of the Government's legislative programme. Rather, they reflect an increasing perception that a more enlightened approach can bring impressive business benefits. These include more motivated and satisfied employees, better employee relations and improved recruitment and retention, as well as - to a lesser extent increases in productivity and quality, and reduced absence.