Kind of an 'open poll':Which MC firm offers the best work-life balance and why?I will give it a try:In mho that would be Deloitte, because they offer flexible working hours/week, quit some holidays and one can work from home.who's netx?

Any such contractancy or over-resourced bodyshop offers good "consulting work-life balance". Principally, because the work doesn't involve any consultancy. As such, I cast my vote for EDSanHPcompany.

Asda, set hours and guaranteed pay at £5.76 per hour. Easy commute, easy job, home at same time for kids and TV.

Depending on your personality and confidence you can balance your work-life in any way you want at any company. There is no work-life difference at any of the (big) consultancy companies. Travel policies are about the same, working hours are the same, etc, etc.Only at the small boutique shops you will find different approaches.I've worked 60-70 hours per week in hectic periods and done just 40 hours in the more relaxed phases of a project. And I have experienced this in several consultancies (MBB but also ACN, IBM, etc). You'll not find a consultancy company that just does 9-5 (as a rule).Cheers,http://dutchconsultant.baywords.com

So much for the wonderful EU working time directive. How is it that the law gets so blatantly dismissed in this sector?

They make you sign a waver...

Cynic, in the consulting industry there is an exceptional amount of people with a huge drive and ambition. As a result of that a lot of people will work extra/long hours. Some people don't mind the extra effort in hope for a nice career.And it happens in all industries... The higher you want to get in the hierarchy, the more it happens. If you don't want to do a bit more/extra, don't expect a fantastic career (at least not in the short term).Cheers,http://dutchconsultant.baywords.com