Abstract
This study explores the impact of flexible working on the daily experiences of work–family conflict for dual-earner couples with child dependants. In exploring these daily experiences, the occurrence of maternal gatekeeping behaviours, and the relationship between flexible working and such behaviours is investigated. We draw on episodic and longitudinal data from qualitative diaries kept for a 1-month period by both members of 24 couples (48 participants) as well as from introductory and subsequent in-depth qualitative interviews with the couples, both together and apart. We report an evidence suggesting that work–family conflicts are experienced and resolved differently, depending on whether it is the male or the female who works flexibly within dual-earner couples. This link between flexible working and gender is demonstrated to have an important impact on maternal gatekeeping behaviours, which are highlighted as playing a crucial role in such daily experiences and how they are resolved
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 835-855 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology |
Volume | 88 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 31 Dec 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2015 |
Keywords
- Work-family conflict
- Flexible working
- Gender
- Dual-earner couples
- Maternal gatekeeping
- Qualitative
- Diaries