The effect of work arrangements on perception of work-family balance

an article by Karen A. Duncan and Rachael N. Pettigrew (University of Manitoba, Canada) published in Community, Work & Family Volume 15 Issue 4 (November 2012)

Abstract

This research used a nationally representative sample of women and men in dual-earner families with children from the 1998 and 2005 time-use cycles of Statistics Canada’s General Social Survey.

The work extends knowledge on the effect of the use of three work arrangements: flexible schedules, shift work and self-employment, on respondents’ reported satisfaction with their work-family balance.

Results of regression analysis indicated that work arrangements strongly affected work-family balance and did so differently for women and men. For women, some control over the work schedule significantly improved the perception of balance. For men, both self-employment and shift work were negatively related to reported work-family balance.

The results support a flexible approach by policy-makers and employers in formulating workplace policies that assist employees in achieving satisfaction with the balance between their family and work responsibilities. 

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Self-employment, work-family time and the gender division of labour

an article by Lyn Craig, Abigail Powell and Natasha Cortis (University of New South Wales, Australia) published in Work Employment & Society Volume 26 Number 5 (October 2012)

Abstract

Does being self-employed, as opposed to being an employee, make a difference to how parents with young children can balance work and family demands?

Does self-employment facilitate more equal gender divisions of labour?

This article uses the Australian Time Use Survey to identify associations between self-employment and mothers’ and fathers’ time in paid work, domestic labour and childcare and when during the day they perform these activities.

The time self-employed mothers devote to each activity differs substantially from that of employee mothers, while fathers’ time is relatively constant across employment types. Working from home is highly correlated with self-employment for mothers, implying the opportunity to be home-based is a pull factor in mothers becoming self-employed.

Results suggest mothers use self-employment to combine earning and childcare whereas fathers prioritize paid work regardless of employment type.

Self-employment is not associated with gender redistribution of paid and unpaid work, although it facilitates some rescheduling.

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