Job characteristics, work-nonwork interference and the role of recovery strategies amongst employees in a tertiary institution : original research

TLDR: In this article, the authors investigated the impact of work characteristics and recovery strategies on four types of work-non-work interference (W-NWI) and found that a lack of psychological detachment and relaxation were significantly associated with lower work-spouse interference.

Abstract: Orientation : Although work characteristics and recovery strategies are associated with work-family interference, the influence on specific types of work-nonwork interference (W-NWI) has not been investigated. Research purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of work characteristics and recovery strategies on four types of W-NWI. Motivation for the study : It is clear from the literature that job characteristics and W-NWI have adverse effects on employees' health and well-being. It is therefore important to identify work characteristics and recovery strategies associated with W-NWI. Research design, approach and method : A cross-sectional survey design was used in this study. The target population was married employees with children working at a Tertiary Education Institution (TEI) in the North West Province (N = 366). Main findings : Work pressure and emotional demands significantly predicted all the work-nonwork role interference dimensions. A lack of autonomy predicted work-parent interference and work-religion and/or spirituality interference, whilst a lack of development possibilities predicted work-religion and/or spirituality interference. Relaxation and mastery recovery experiences significantly predicted lower work-parent interference. A lack of psychological detachment and relaxation were significantly associated with lower work-spouse interference. Relaxation and control significantly predicted lower work-domestic interference, whilst psychological detachment significantly predicted lower work-religion and/or spirituality interference. Practical/managerial implications : The results give managers insight into the specific work characteristics and recovery experiences that play a role in W-NWI, upon which interventions can be based to address these issues. Contribution/value-add : This study provides information on the relationship between work characteristics, recovery experiences and the effect on different types of W-NWI.