While the focus on work-life balance has been directed to organizations and management, employees play a major role when the balance isn't achieved, according to research by ORC International.

Particularly in today's economy, employees should focus on less transformative change and make minor daily shifts in work style.

"We've spent nearly the last two decades calling out the companies and management for the need for work-life flexibility," says Cali Williams Yost, an expert on workplace issues and researcher of the study. "Many have responded, but now employees also need to step up and assert control by making small, subtle, practical choices that no one will notice but them. For over 20 years, our center has stressed the importance of organizational culture, the right types of management support, and the most effective human resource policies and programs needed to facilitate work life fit.