Are organizations shooting themselves in the foot? : workplace contributors to family-to-work conflict

Beauregard, T. A. (2006) Are organizations shooting themselves in the foot? : workplace contributors to family-to-work conflict. Equal Opportunities International, 25 (5). pp. 336-353. ISSN 0261-0159

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Abstract

Purpose - To examine 1) the direct effects of work domain variables on family-to-work conflict (FWC), beyond their indirect effects via the mediating variable of work-to-family conflict (WFC), and 2) sex differences in the effects of work role expectations and supervisor support on FWC. Methodology/Approach - A survey was conducted among 208 UK public sector employees. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis tested main and moderating effects of work domain variables and sex on FWC. To test for mediation, the procedure recommended by Baron and Kenny (1986) was used. Findings - Work domain variables had a significant effect on FWC above and beyond the effects of family domain variables, and independent of WFC. The relationship between work role expectations and FWC was found to be significantly stronger for men than for women. Research limitations/implications - The cross-sectional design of the study does not permit firm conclusions regarding causality, and the results may be influenced by common method bias. Practical implications - In the face of evidence that organizations are causing the very phenomenon that hurts them, the responsibility to assist employees with reducing FWC is enhanced. Particularly for men, management of organizational expectations to work long hours and prioritize work over family is an area in which employers can and should play a key role if gender equity with regard to organizational work-family climate is to be established. Originality/Value - This study indicates that organizational work demands may have more influence over the degree to which employees’ family lives interfere with their work than has previously been assumed, especially for men.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://www.emeraldinsight.com/0261-0159.htm
Additional Information:	(c) 2006 Emerald Publications. Acknowledgements: This research was funded in large part by the LSE Industrial Relations Department Basil Blackwell Teaching Fellowship, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Fellowship, the Overseas Research Studentship Award, and the LSE Metcalfe Studentship for Women. This funding is gratefully acknowledged. LSE has developed LSE Research Online so that users may access research output of the School. Copyright and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Users may download and/or print one copy of any article(s) in LSE Research Online to facilitate their private study or for non-commercial research. You may not engage in further distribution of the material or use it for any profit-making activities or any commercial gain. You may freely distribute the URL (<http://eprints.lse.ac.uk>) of the LSE Research Online website.
Divisions:	LSE
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Date Deposited:	24 Apr 2007
Last Modified:	15 Sep 2023 13:25
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/894

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