Are Spanish SMEs good places to work?

This paper aims to perform a descriptive analysis of the current degree of development and application of work‐life balance policies in Spanish SMEs, examining the differences that arise due to ownership structure (family owned business versus non‐family owned business) and presenting an in‐depth analysis of the variables that influence managers' attitudes towards work‐life balance policies.

Structured interviews with SME managers were performed.

The presence of those polices is small, although the situation differs depending on the type of policy. Differences in ownership structure do not imply significantly different behavior with regard to the introduction and application of these human resource policies, nor do they affect the attitude of managers towards them, although the variables that influence managers' attitudes differ.

Only Spanish SMEs are considered, so cultural context can condition results generalizations.

Results reveal the need for SMEs to engage in WLB policies, and the importance of improving their managers' attitudes towards those polices, taking into consideration ownership structure of that company.

Little information exists on the extent to which WLB policies are used, especially in family business versus non‐family business; moreover, the study reveals the relevance of understanding managers' attitudes towards those policies, as variables determining it differ when ownership structure of the firm is taken into consideration.