Team chairman Benjamin Hung Pi-cheng, the Hong Kong chief executive of Standard Chartered Bank, said having a special day was a good place to start.

'Our aim is for companies to understand that a work-life balance is not just good for employees, it is good for business too,' he said.

'It leads to higher productivity, higher morale, reduced absenteeism, greater loyalty, reduced [employee] turnover and an enhanced position as an employer of choice.'

Fifty-three of the companies taking part will ensure that all employees leave by 7pm; 25 will hold an exercise hour; 55 will offer healthy food; 19 will provide family time; and 24 will hold seminars for employees.

Information-technology company Cisco Systems will encourage all staff to work from home during normal office hours.

The British Council is holding a tai chi class. Financial firm Barclays Capital will bring in masseuses to give staff neck massages.

Internet service provider Hong Kong Broadband Network will stage 'relaxation' games for staff.

Law firm Mallesons Stephen Jacques will hold a health exhibition later this month.

A Barclays Capital spokeswoman said several activities had been lined up for today.

'We are also giving staff the opportunity of arriving one hour later or to leave one hour earlier during the day,' spokeswoman Clare Williams said. 'Fifteen-minute neck massages will be given, so staff will learn how to relax at work, as they have been busy for too long and that will give the opportunity to get staff to take a break.'

Fruit and snacks will be provided for the 350 employees, Ms Williams added.

Shalini Mahtani, chief executive of Community Business - a non-profit organisation set up in Hong Kong five years ago to work with companies on corporate social responsibility - said that its annual surveys had shown that employees believed their employers could do more to encourage work-life balance.

Ms Mahtani said the next step was to get companies to start integrating work-life balance into their practices.

'It is important to remember that work-life balance is not necessarily about achieving an equal balance, and there is no 'one size fits all' approach that companies should be striving to take,' she said.

Companies should also understand that work-life balance varied for individuals and changed over the course of their lives.

'Ultimately it is about being flexible to accommodate the needs of different people,' Ms Mahtani said.

Options for businesses

1 Encourage workers to leave by 7pm

2 Encourage all staff to take one hour off for exercise

3 Provide healthy snacks for employees

4 Encourage staff to bring their children or family members to work

5 Hold an event to promote work-life balance issues