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Article Information:
Title:
Understanding the work-life conflict of never-married women without children
Author(s):
Elizabeth A. Hamilton, Judith R. Gordon, Karen S. Whelan-Berry
Journal:
Year:
2006
Volume:
Issue:
Page:
393 - 415
ISSN:
0964-9425
DOI:
10.1108/09649420610676208
Publisher:
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
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Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this research is to focus on understanding the work-life conflict of never-married women without children.
Design/methodology/approach – This study uses survey data from two full-service health care organizations and a financial services organization. Quantitative methodologies were used to address the study's research questions and hypotheses.
Findings – The findings show that never-married women without children do experience conflict, specifically work-to-life conflict, and often at similar levels to that experienced by other groups of working women. The findings also suggest that work-life benefits typically provided by organizations are frequently regarded as less important and used less often by never-married women without children than by other working women.
Research limitations/implications – Future research should increase the sample of never-married women without children, explore the sources of support these women use in juggling life roles, and incorporate comparative analysis across age and occupation groups as well as with never-married childless men.
Practical implications – The research finds that not all employees value or utilize the benefits frequently offered by organizations. Human resource departments cannot assume a “one size fits all” approach to benefit administration but must recognize the unique sources of work-life conflict for an array of employees and develop appropriate strategies to mitigate such conflict.
Originality/value – This study contributes to the work-life literature by focusing on a vastly understudied group of employees whose growing presence in the workforce necessitates further exploration. This research advocates expanding the definition of work-life as traditionally defined in the organizational behavior literature, allowing scholars to think more broadly about life roles other than spouse and parent that may have implications for conflict.
Keywords:
Family life, Job satisfaction, Role conflict, Single people, Women
Article Type:
Research paper