scholarly journals Unequal but Balanced: Highly educated mothers’ perceptions of work-life balance during the COVID-19 lockdown in Finland and the Netherlands

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara A. Yerkes ◽  
Stefanie Andre ◽  
Chantal Remery ◽  
Milla Salin ◽  
Mia Hakovirta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Part Time

One year after passage of the European work-life balance directive, and thus recognition of the need for policy support, measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic are shaping parents’ work-life balance in significant ways. Academically, we are challenged to explore whether existing theoretical frameworks hold in this new environment with combined old and new policy frameworks. We are also challenged to understand the nuanced ways in which the first lockdown affects the combination of paid work and care. We address both of these issues, providing a cross-sectional comparative analysis of highly educated mothers’ perceptions of work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland and the Netherlands. Our findings show that highly educated Finnish mothers have more difficulty combining work and care during the first lockdown than Dutch mothers. The absence of state-provided care during the lockdown creates greater difficulty for full-time working Finnish mothers in a dual-earner/state-carer system than an absence of such care in the Dutch one-and-a-half earner system, where most mothers work part-time. Further analyses suggest variation in part-time and (nearly) full-time hours mitigates the work-life balance experiences of highly educated Dutch mothers. We discuss these findings in light of current theoretical frameworks and highlight avenues for future research.

Study-work-life balance: Challenges for international students

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-233
Author(s):  
Martin Lukas Mahler
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Part Time

The purpose of this article is to explore to what extent international students may be affected by a lack of study/work-life balance or study-work-life balance amongst those who study (full-time) and work part-time. International students tend to face more pressures due to usually lacking a support network, at least for some time once arriving in the host country. Such pressures may be financial or social and may be due to a lack of awareness of host country norms and regulations or due to language barriers. An online survey informed by work-life balance theory was completed by 42 international students. The findings from the analysis of responses were that while most respondents were satisfied with their study-work-life balance, some although managing overall, faced pressures. A key finding was that the students managed due to the student visa condition restricting employment to a maximum of twenty hours per week. This seems to have helped respondents to focus more time on their studies, however, may add to financial pressures or put international students at a disadvantage over their domestic peers in terms of gaining work experience. Further, findings have uncovered that although working while studying provides additional pressures, it creates benefits through the ability to build a support network.

Organizational justice of work–life balance for professional/managerial group and non-professional group in Australia: Creation of inclusive and fair organizations

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuka Fujimoto ◽  
Fara Azmat
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Justice ◽  
Professional Group ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Status Differences

AbstractThis study quantitatively and qualitatively examines perceptions of organizational justice among 227 professionals/managers and 210 non-professional full-time employees across Australia in relation to their work–life balance. Findings confirm that the professional/managerial groups perceive higher levels of organizational justice than the non-professional group in all work–life balance/justice dimensions (procedural, distributive, interpersonal and informational), demonstrating the pervasive power status differences between different occupational groups. This study underlines the importance of justice-based work–life balance efforts for all occupational groups to create more inclusive and fair organizations. We conclude with policy implications and directions for future research.

scholarly journals Burnout and work-life balance among physicians: the role of migration background

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix S. Hussenoeder ◽  
Erik Bodendieck ◽  
Ines Conrad ◽  
Franziska Jung ◽  
Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
Keyword(s):  
Migration Background ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Physician Burnout ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Medical Infrastructure ◽  
Work And Health

Abstract Background We want to analyze the effect of migration background (MB) on physician burnout and work-life balance. Methods In September 2019, physicians from various specialties answered a questionnaire on work and health. We analyzed a subsample of 526 physicians that were working full time in a hospital, 14% with an MB and 47.9% were female. Results Multivariate analysis showed that physicians with an MB exhibit significantly less favorable scores on all three burnout dimensions, and this effect persisted in the regression analysis after adding age, gender, and marital status as control variables. There were no differences with regard to work-life balance. Conclusions To our knowledge, our study is the first one to suggest that MB plays a significant role in physician mental health. Future research will benefit from identifying the factors behind that connection, e.g., problems related to acculturation, communication and social integration, which can then be addressed by policymakers in order to maintain and improve the medical infrastructure.

scholarly journals Part-Time Work and Gender Inequality in Europe. A Comparative Analysis of Satisfaction with Work–Life Balance

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Beham ◽  
Sonja Drobnič ◽  
Patrick Präg ◽  
Andreas Baierl ◽  
Janin Eckner
Keyword(s):  
Working Hours ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Time Work ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Part Time Work

Part-time work is an increasingly common strategy for handling work and family—but is it an effective strategy everywhere and for everyone? To answer this question, we examine the satisfaction with work–life balance of workers in 22 European countries included in round five of the European Social Survey. Our results show that part-time workers are more satisfied with their work–life balance than full-time workers; the more so, the fewer hours they put in. Yet, we find an important gender difference: Women in marginal part-time work (< 21 hours/week) are more satisfied than men in a similar situation, and conversely men in full-time work are more satisfied than women working full-time. Further, the societal context plays an important role: substantial part-time work (21–34 hours/week) is more conducive to satisfaction with work–life balance in more gender-egalitarian countries than in countries with low gender equality. Hence, a supportive gender climate and institutional support may entice workers to reduce working hours moderately, which results in markedly increased levels of SWLB.

scholarly journals Überstunden, Ausgleichsmöglichkeiten, Gesundheit und Work-Life Balance

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinna Brauner ◽  
Anne Marit Wöhrmann ◽  
Nils Backhaus ◽  
Anita Tisch
Keyword(s):  
Working Hours ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Overtime Work ◽  
Time Work ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Negative Relationships

Überstunden sind in Deutschland weit verbreitet. Repräsentative Daten von 7.765 Befragten der BAuA-Arbeitszeitbefragung 2017 zeigen, dass Beschäftigte im Durch-schnitt 3,9 Stunden pro Woche länger arbeiten als vertraglich vereinbart, wobei sich Unterschiede nach Geschlecht, Vollzeittätigkeit, Qualifizierung und Berufen zeigen. Über die Hälfte sind transitorische Überstunden, die durch Freizeit ausgeglichen wer-den. Ein Viertel wird ausbezahlt und jede fünfte Überstunde wird nicht abgegolten. Regressionsanalysen deuten auf einen negativen Zusammenhang von Überstunden mit Gesundheit und Work-Life-Balance hin. Dies gilt sowohl für transitorische Überstunden als auch bei Überstunden ohne Freizeitausgleich, für Teilzeit- und Vollzeitbeschäftigte und unter Kontrolle von Alter, Geschlecht, Bildungs- und Anforderungs-niveau, dem ausgeübten Beruf sowie der vertraglich vereinbarten Arbeitszeit. Overtime is widely spread in Germany. Representative data from 7.765 respondents from the BAuA-Working Time Survey 2017 show that employees work an average of 3.9 hours per week longer than contractually agreed, with differences according to gender, full-time work, qualification levels and occupations. More than half of these are transitory overtime hours, which are compensated by free time. A quarter is paid and every fifth hour of overtime is not compensated. Regression analyses point towards negative relationships with health and work-life balance. This applies to transitory overtime hours as well as for overtime hours without compensatory time off, full time and part time employees, and controlled for age, gender, qualification level, occupations, and contractual working hours. Stratified analyses show some different patterns for employees in night and shift work and for those with mainly private reasons for overtime work.

scholarly journals Comparing burnout and work-life balance among specialists in internal medicine: the role of inpatient vs. outpatient workplace

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix S. Hussenoeder ◽  
Erik Bodendieck ◽  
Franziska Jung ◽  
Ines Conrad ◽  
Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
Keyword(s):  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Physician Mental Health ◽  
Outpatient Settings ◽  
Subsequent Patient

Abstract Background Compared to the general population, physicians are more likely to experience increased burnout and lowered work-life balance. In our article, we want to analyze whether the workplace of a physician is associated with these outcomes. Methods In September 2019, physicians from various specialties answered a comprehensive questionnaire. We analyzed a subsample of 183 internists that were working full time, 51.4% were female. Results Multivariate analysis showed that internists working in an outpatient setting exhibit significantly higher WLB and more favorable scores on all three burnout dimensions. In the regression analysis, hospital-based physicians exhibited higher exhaustion, cynicism and total burnout score as well as lower WLB. Conclusions Physician working at hospitals exhibit less favorable outcomes compared to their colleagues in outpatient settings. This could be a consequence of workplace-specific factors that could be targeted by interventions to improve physician mental health and subsequent patient care.

scholarly journals Gender, Flexibility Stigma and the Perceived Negative Consequences of Flexible Working in the UK

2018 ◽  
Vol 151 (2) ◽  
pp. 521-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heejung Chung
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Working Time ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Flexible Working ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Negative Perceptions ◽  
The Uk

AbstractThis study examines the prevalence and the gender differences in the perceptions and experiences of flexibility stigma—i.e., the belief that workers who use flexible working arrangements for care purposes are less productive and less committed to the workplace. This is done by using the 4th wave of the Work-Life Balance Survey conducted in 2011 in the UK. The results show that 35% of all workers agree to the statement that those who work flexibly generate more work for others, and 32% believe that those who work flexibly have lower chances for promotion. Although at first glance, men are more likely to agree to both, once other factors are controlled for, women especially mothers are more likely to agree to the latter statement. Similarly, men are more likely to say they experienced negative outcomes due to co-workers working flexibly, while again mothers are more likely to say they experienced negative career consequences due to their own flexible working. The use of working time reducing arrangements, such as part-time, is a major reason why people experience negative career outcomes, and can partially explain why mothers are more likely to suffer from such outcomes when working flexibly. However, this relationship could be reverse, namely, the stigma towards part-time workers may be due to negative perceptions society hold towards mothers’ commitment to work and their productivity. In sum, this paper shows that flexibility stigma is gendered, in that men are more likely to discriminate against flexible workers, while women, especially mothers, are more likely to suffer from such discrimination.

scholarly journals EMPLOYEE WORK-LIFE BALANCE, SATISFACTION AND BURNOUT IN IRAN AND SPAIN

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 779-791
Author(s):  
Tara Tavassoli ◽  
Albert Sunyer
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Mediating Role

Purpose of the study: This research explores the effects of Work-Life Balance (WLB) on job and life satisfaction, and burnout in Iran and Spain. Besides, this research investigates the impact of WLB on organizational commitment and the mediating role of this factor on the studied outcomes. Methodology: This study uses confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling in AMOS to analyze a sample of 263 full-time employees. The sample includes employees from various sectors and firms. The same measurement scales, factors, and structural models were used in both studied countries. Main Findings: The results of this study confirm that there are positive relationships between WLB and job and life satisfaction and negative relationships between WLB and burnout in both countries. Furthermore, results confirm the partial mediating role of organizational commitment on WLB and the studied outcomes in a way that WLB has a positive impact on the organizational commitment which is, in turn, positively associated with job satisfaction and negatively related to cynicism in both country samples. Applications of this study: These findings involve that WLB has a positive impact on employees' outcomes. Therefore, organizations should implement and promote WLB policies as a means to increase their employees' satisfaction while reducing job burnout. Employers' attention to WLB should be prominent. Novelty/Originality of this study: This research is one of the first studies to investigate WLB outcomes in Middle-Eastern societies like Iran and compare them with western societies. The results show more similarities than differences between the two studied country samples, although few differences are found.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF COLLECTIVISM ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY ON WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND LIFE SATISFACTION RELATIONSHIP: A UK – SPAIN COMPARISON

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Valero Pizarro ◽  
Gamze Arman
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Satisfaction Relationship

Difficulties in balancing work and non-work roles have a negative impact on an individual’s life satisfaction. This study investigates the relationship between work-life balance and life satisfaction across the United Kingdom and Spain. It also explores the moderating effects of individual orientations of collectivism and gender identity. The used scales measured Work-life Balance (WLB), Life Satisfaction (LS), Collectivism vs. Individualism orientations, and Gender identity. Collectivism/Individualism was measured and analysed at individual-level rather than at cultural-level. Data was collected from 52 British and 69 Spanish full-time employed women through an online survey. Correlational analyses and hierarchical multiple regression were conducted. Findings indicated that work-life balance had positive effects on life satisfaction across two different cultures. Those effects were stronger for British than Spanish women. Moderating effects were not found. Although, work-life balance, collectivism individual-orientation, and feminine identity predicted life satisfaction in the UK and only work-life balance predicted life satisfaction in Spain. This study extends the literature on work-life balance and life satisfaction relationship and the influence of culture, whilst also contributing to the under-researched area of the influence of gender identity on that relationship. The results might contribute to developing better strategies for promoting work-life balance

scholarly journals Impact of Family Domain on Work-Life Balance of Professional Working Mothers

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-71
Author(s):  
Sushma Manandhar
Keyword(s):  
Family Support ◽  
Working Mothers ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Spouse Support ◽  
Analytical Research ◽  
Professional Working Mothers

The paper aims to provide empirical evidence on impact of family domain (family support and spouse support) on work-life balance of full time professional working mothers in telecommunication and academic sectors. The structured questionnaire was administered among 90 working mothers representing from both sectors in Kathmandu Valley. The study followed descriptive and analytical research design. Correlation and regression analyses were carried on to test the proposed hypotheses. The statistically significant positive impact of family support and spouse support was found on work life balance of professional working mothers under the study. Family support and spouse support enhance the professional working mothers to become highly committed to their job or work devoting considerable time and effort to their career role and work-life balance.

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