Cultural displacements affect immigrants’ lives both physically and psychologically. Almost every migrant faces the adverse effects of leaving their home country. One way to avoid these shortcomings is through transnational ties. The present study aims to explore the themes of cultural displacement, unhomeliness, and identity crisis faced by the main characters of Shamsie’s Burnt Shadows (2009) due to forced migrations based on global dynamics. It also focuses on the strategies these characters employed to cope with their psychological dilemmas using Bhabha’s (1994) concept of “Unhomeliness” and Boccagni’s (2010) concept of “Transnationalism” as theoretical underpinnings of this study. The current research qualitatively analyzes the main characters from two clans (Weiss-Burtons and Tanaka-Ashrafs) to explore the correlation between unhomeliness and transnationalism. It seeks to interpret the effect of multiple global dynamics on an individual’s daily life. It also intends to explore the strategies they employed to negotiate their identities in new cultural contexts. The findings reveal that repeated migrations significantly impacted characters’ sense of identity and belonging. Transnational ties, however, played a crucial role in helping them navigate cultural displacement and develop a sense of home.

Work-life balance (WLB) has become a critical area of focus for scholars and industry leaders, driven by evolving demographics, technological advancements, and changing market dynamics. Despite its growing relevance, the exploration of work-life balance programs (WLBPs) in Indian organizations remains under-researched. This paper aims to bridge that gap by evaluating the current state of WLBPs in Indian companies through an analysis of primary and secondary data, alongside a review of existing literature. It investigates the challenges that hinder the effective implementation of these programs and provides actionable insights for HR professionals to improve decision-making regarding WLBPs. The study highlights that the commitment to employee and familial support in Indian organizations dates back to the industrial era, evolving from basic welfare provisions to include individual development and family well-being. Although work-life policies are more prevalent in new economy sectors like IT and services, their adoption across industries is inconsistent. There is significant potential for these initiatives to become integral to HR strategy across various sectors, making WLBPs a mainstream priority.