1. Causes and Consequences of the Utilization of Work-Life Policies by Professionals: Unconditional Supervisor Support Required
- Author
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Peper, A, Dikkers, JSE, van Engen, ML, Vinkenburg, CJ, Kaiser, S., Ringlstetter, M., Pina e Cunha, M., Eikhof, D.R., Management and Organisation, Amsterdam Business Research Institute, Kaiser, S., Ringlstetter, M., Pina e Cunha, M., Eikhof, D.R., Department of Human Resource Studies, and Sociology
- Subjects
Engineering ,Supervisor ,ComputingMilieux_THECOMPUTINGPROFESSION ,business.industry ,Face (sociological concept) ,ComputingMilieux_LEGALASPECTSOFCOMPUTING ,Public relations ,Work life ,Management ,Work (electrical) ,Private life ,Ask price ,Parental leave ,business - Abstract
The European work place has changed. Employees increasingly ask for organizational policies that allow them to combine their work and their private life. Organizations also become aware of the work-life conflicts of their employees. In this study, we examine the association of the utilization of flexible (targeted at increasing employees¿ temporal and spatial flexibility) and care-related (aimed at assisting employees in combining work with care giving) policies with work-life enrichment of Dutch professionals. Research further suggests that managerial support is critical when it comes to the utilization and effectiveness of work-life programs. Case study research emphasizes that managerial attitudes and practices are shaped by the organizational culture in which managers operate. This study relates work-life culture in general and supervisor support in particular to the utilization of (flexible and care-related) work-life policies and work-life enrichment. Finally, few previous studies have examined the associations of work-life integration with professionals¿ career progression. We analyze the utilization of work-life policies in association with work-life culture, work-life enrichment, and career advancement. Interviews with managers further show that their support for work-life programs is not unconditional and is characterized by a short-term orientation. The analysis is based on survey research in two samples, and on qualitative interviews among Dutch professionals.
- Published
- 2011
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