This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Skinner, N. Articles by Pocock, B. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Work—life conflict: Is work time or work overload more important?

Centre for Work + Life, Hawke Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, natalie.skinner{at}unisa.edu.au

Barbara Pocock

Centre for Work + Life, Hawke Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Work time in the form of long hours or control over work scheduling (flexibility) dominates much of the debate, and organisational policies and interventions, around sustaining a healthy work—life relationship. In this study we challenge this assumption, and argue instead for the importance of the quantity of work (work overload). Using data collected in a national Australian study, we found that work overload was the strongest predictor of full-time employees' work—life conflict. Work hours, their fit with preferences, and control over work scheduling also demonstrated small to moderate associations with work—life conflict. This study indicates that time-based work—life policies, procedures and interventions are necessary, but not sufficient, for addressing work—life conflict. Effective management of work overload, with its potential to contribute to emotional strain/exhaustion and long work hours, should be considered as a keystone strategy to support a healthy work—life relationship.

Key Words: flexibility • overload • work hours • work—life conflict

Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, Vol. 46, No. 3, 303-315 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1038411108095761.


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?