Abstract: “Having a balanced life seems to be of a particular complexity and rather hard to achieve for all business people, in particular it has been considered difficult to reach for expatriates. This study describes how female and male expatriates approach work- life balance (WLB) issues and why, as well as where they see the key success factors on their international assignments. The data were obtained from 20 in depth interviews conducted on Singapore- and Dubai- based expats, age 23-54 across 13 nations. The research reveals that the approach to WLB changes with age, position and can be even industry as well as gender specific. Hence, female interviewees in an overwhelming majority disapprove of the WLB concept, while male expats value this equilibrium highly, although they appear to have a different perception of it. That attitude itself has a significant impact on work- life conflicts and job satisfaction levels. Furthermore, the findings indicate that female expats value cultural intuiti”

Keywords: expatriates, gender differences, work-life balance