An amazing improvement in the treatment of labour took place after the Great Plague in Europe. The shortage of labour was a great blow to feudalism. Aristocrats had to lure labour with better treatment. Some labour was so in demand that, individuals became independent business men. 

The best thing we can do for the work/life balance is to return to a primary theme in democracy - a drive for economic equality and a reduction in class differences. The 99% has as Walter Benn Michaels points out, been diverted from that theme, by those who have turned the focus on Diversity. The result has been increasing inequality and reduced labour conditions.

Everyone has to unite to demand full employment, and more equality of economic opportunity - pharma care, free tuition, dental care, affordable housing, more public transportation, a living wage, ...  

That focus would improve quality of life, and create a labour shortage which would improve employer treatment of employees.