Everyone is talking about work-life balance, throwing about catch phrases such as "work to live--don't live to work" and "escape the rat race." Yet beyond the inspirational mantra comes the reality of IT infrastructure and services that demand 24/7 attention. The pressure of this service level is leading many workers to wonder if they have any hope in balancing their lives. The wish for decompression time, or at least <A HREF="http://eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1964636,00.asp">greater flexibility of work schedules,</A> is growing. According to a compensation and benefits report by the Toronto-based Hudson Highland Group, released May 17, one in three workers wanted flex schedules as part of their overall compensation. Twenty-two percent said, given the choice, they would choose additional family benefits, including parental leaves and personal days, over job training or supplemental insurance.