| The purpose of the qualitative ethnographic research study was to determine if work/life balance concerns were relative to the underrepresentation of professional African American women in managerial and leadership positions in the United States workforce. The following research questions guided the study. What were the perceived work/life balance issues that led professional African American women classified as Generation X employees to avoid or leave managerial and leadership positions within the workforce? What were the perceived work/life balance concerns of professional African American women that affected retention rates within managerial and leadership positions within the workforce? What work/life balance programs should employers expend their attentions and resources to improve retention rates and long-term employment for the underrepresented African American women employees in managerial and leadership positions? Thirty-one professional African American women aged 32-46 in the northwestern region of Florida participated study. The study explored the thoughts of those who terminated employment, opted to remain in the organization, or limited their professional growth up to a certain point. The study resulted in eight themes that related to the achievement of balance for the participants of the study. The participants provided their perceptions using a questionnaire containing 27 multiple choice and open-ended questions. The result of this study suggested a continued need to create opportunities for women to balance their work and life roles through supervisor/employee communication, organizational and supervisory support. This research offered a better understanding of the needs employees require to generate maximum productivity, satisfaction, and opportunities.;Key words: work/life balance, communication, Generation X, African American. |
