Is it my job? Leaders' family-supportive role perceptions
Journal of Managerial Psychology
ISSN: 0268-3946
Article publication date: 5 August 2021
Issue publication date: 22 February 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Despite a burgeoning literature on family-supportive supervisor behaviors (FSSB), it is unclear whether supervisors view these behaviors as in-role or discretionary. We proposed a new cognitive motivational construct, FSSB role perceptions (FSSB-RP; that is the extent to which supervisors perceive FSSB as an expected part of their job) and evaluated it as a mediator of the relationship between supervisors' own work–family experiences and FSSB.
Design/methodology/approach
We used an online survey of 245 US based supervisors.
Findings
We find that FSSB role perceptions is a unique but related construct to FSSB, and that approximately half of our sample of 245 supervisors either do not believe that FSSB is a part of their job or are unsure as to whether it is. Path analyses revealed that supervisors' own experiences of work–family conflict and enrichment are related to engaging in FSSB through role perceptions, especially when a reward system is in place that values FSSB.
Practical implications
These results may influence the design, implementation and dissemination of leader family-supportive training programs.
Originality/value
The factors that drive supervisors to engage in FSSB are relatively unknown, yet this study suggests the novel construct of FSSB role perceptions and supervisors' own work–family experiences are important factors.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Shalyn C. Steven’s work on this project was supported by the Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center, grant number: T42OH009229, funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services. Support was also received from the Orfalea College of Business Summer Mini Research Grant.
Citation
Ellis, A.M., Crain, T.L. and Stevens, S.C. (2022), "Is it my job? Leaders' family-supportive role perceptions", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 125-138. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-09-2020-0493
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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