Showing papers on "Work–life interface published in 2013"

Gender, the Work‐Life Interface and Wellbeing: A Study of Hospital Doctors

Abstract: Long and unsociable hours and intensive work pressure have been dominant features of the medical profession, especially in hospital work. The increased presence of women in medical occupations, however, has stimulated debate about the nature and consequences of such work practices on doctors' wellbeing. Against the backdrop of this debate the article explores how factors relating to the work–lfe interface affect the wellbeing of a sample of hospital doctors. A key aim is to assess whether gender differences are discernible in the pattern of factors associated with perceptions of job burnout and intentions to quit. The research suggests that female doctors were more likely to experience job burnout than male doctors. It also shows that aspects of the work–life interface affect the wellbeing of all doctors but women tend to rely on different forms of social support from men to alleviate burnout and reduce the likelihood of leaving their job.

The Work-Life Interface of Self-Initiated Expatriates: Conflicts and Enrichment

Abstract: Research interest in self-initiated expatriation has been increasing steadily due to the globalization of business life and job markets. The emerging research tradition has already covered themes including career motives, development, adjustment, HR support, repatriation and careers. There is, however, limited research on the work-life interface (WLI) of self-initiated expatriates (SIEs), despite the fact that international work affects not only expatriates’ working lives but also their whole life situation. Moreover, if expatriates have a family, moving and living abroad is at least as challenging for their spouses and children as it is for them (Shaffer & Harrison, 2001; Richardson, 2006). Issues affecting spouses and family are also important to the repatriation process since repatriation adjustment has been found to be challenging. Spouses often have to interrupt their own careers in order to follow the expatriate abroad, and the job-related arrangements of the spouse are among the key challenges reported by repatriates (Riusala & Suutari, 2000). If companies are seen as unsympathetic to the problems faced by repatriates and their families, individuals will be even more reluctant to accept the offer of foreign assignments in future (Scullion, 1993). From these perspectives, it is unsurprising that work-life balance (WLB) concerns (Makela & Suutari, 2011; Hearn, Jyrkinen, Piekkari & Oinonen, 2008) rank highly among the key challenges related to international careers. It has even been argued that such careers would be too challenging for most individuals and their families (Forster, 2000). At the same time, it has been found that international jobs may also have positive WLI outcomes — known as work-life enrichment (Makela & Suutari, 2011).

Recovery and work-life interface

Abstract: Job demands have shown a tendency to increase, to such a degree that work-related stress and work–life conflict have become a serious and pervasive problem in many countries (Poelmans, 2005). Whereas there is a considerable literature on the consequences of high demands within the workplace (among others, Bakker and Demerouti, 2007; Lee and Ashforth, 1996), there has been less emphasis on the role of recovery from the associated strain during non-work time. In this review chapter, we argue that adequate daily recovery after work is crucial for the maintenance of well-being and work–life balance. Recovery may occur in the context of work and non-work (Geurts and Sonnentag, 2006). The first is referred to as internal recovery and may occur during short breaks from work. The second is called external recovery and occurs during after-work hours, during weekends, and during longer periods of respite such as vacations.

Midlife Secondary Female Teachers’ Identities, Work and Work–Life Interface

Abstract: This chapter probes teachers’ identities, work and work–life interface in the secondary school setting. It raises issues on border crossings at home and at work, emphasising the need for new ways to think about work–life interface particularly in the Hong Kong hybrid contexts.

Introduction of the Concept of Work/Life Harmony Constructs of the Work/ Life Interface: A Synthesis of the Literature and

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to identify construct definitions and measurement tools for the work/life interface concepts: conflict, enrichment, and balance. An understand-ing of these concepts is critical to HRD professionals because interventions designed to counter work/life interface issues cannot be strategically created, and culture changes cannot be effectively addressed until the discipline understands the nature and the organizational implications of employees’ work/life interface. A new construct called work/life harmony and the work/life harmony model are introduced to aid in the understanding of the work/life interface. Keywords work/life issues, management, researchThe attainment of work/life (family) balance continues to be the mythical quality standard not only for individuals in the workforce but also for the organizations that employ them. Work/life issues impact everyone, regardless of their education level, gender, income level, family structure, occupation, race, age, job status, or religion. A major deterrent to employee job performance is stress associated with juggling work and personal life. Recent work done by Lockwood (2003) found that more than 70% of employees report

Across boundaries: narratives of work-life interface among international business travelers

Abstract: This study explores the narratives of work-life interface among international business travellers. A constructionist approach is employed to explore how international business travellers account for their work-life experiences, which aspects of each domain act as demands and resources, and which work-life coping strategies are pursued. Employing a qualitative, semi-structured interviewing method, this study collected data from 11 international business travellers. The findings illustrate how personally enacted and socially bounded is the meaning of work-life interface. While for some travellers work ‘across boundaries’ is a lifetime opportunity, for others it is a necessary evil. In spite of these differences, the results indicate that work-life meaning influences travellers’ perceptions of work-life demands and resources, and coping mechanisms. This study contributes both to the theory of work-life interface and to the study of international business travellers by expanding the scope and the in-depth of the analysis. Thus, areas for further development are proposed and discussed, in accordance with the major findings.