Communicating across the borders: managing work-life boundaries through communication in various domains

Abstract

Communicating work issues at home and home issues at work, also known as across-the-border (ATB) communication, is a part of everyday work and family interaction. This study focuses on the concept of ATB communication, using Work/Family Border Theory, according to which the boundaries between work and private life are seen as negotiated and shaped through social interactions and practices. We argue that through ATB communication, and especially by focusing on what is shared and how, employees can manage boundaries and achieve work-life balance. Altogether, 32 informants, comprising journalists (N = 16) and their relational others (N = 16), were interviewed to investigate the role of ATB communication in employees' worklife boundary management. The findings show that ATB communication entails discussions about responsibilities in different life domains and a search for support in demanding or complex work or private life situations. One feature of boundary management involves refraining from ATB communication in order to achieve a balance between work and life. The study extends existing knowledge of boundary management as a communicative process and offers important practical implications by highlighting the role of interpersonal relationships in boundary management practices and the quality of ATB communication in these relationships.

The concept of “Work-Life-Blending”: a systematic review

“…The article by Leppäkumpu and Sivunen (2023) examined how communication between different domains (across-the-border (ATB) communication) can be used to manage work-life boundaries. The article explores the interconnectedness of work and life domains, how communication practices and strategies can influence the blending or separation of these domains, and how individuals can navigate and maintain boundaries between work and life through communication techniques in various contexts.…”

“…This diverse range of methodologies contributes to a comprehensive understanding of Work-Life-Blending, enabling a more nuanced analysis of boundary management practices among individuals in different work and family contexts. However, some studies have small sample sizes, such as Leppäkumpu and Sivunen (2023) with N = 32 informants, which could affect the generalizability of their results.…”

“…They found two types of support through communication: instrumental and emotional. Overall, the article states that communication plays a relevant role in managing the boundaries between work and life and that clear and open communication in various domains can develop effective strategies to lead to positive outcomes (Leppäkumpu and Sivunen, 2023). Spieler et al (2017) examined the effects of the use of flexible working hours on the blending of work and life in two studies.…”

Labor Force Participation Rate and Expected Length of Retirement 1989-2066: Comparison of Several OECD Countries

“…The emphasis on work-life balance is one of the main factors that contribute to Finland's high LFP. The nation has made work-life balance a policy priority, which has had a positive effect on the society ( [65]. This has enabled women to partake in labor force while also fulfilling their responsibilities as carers.…”

Agentic interplay between hybridity and liminality in contemporary boundary work

“…In contrast, we adopt the term ‘boundary work’ (Nippert‐Eng, 1995) consistent with a non‐essentialist perspective whereby we do not presume particular boundaries already exist but that individuals ‘work up’ boundaries in their everyday situated practice. Just as work and life can be considered emergent distinctions constantly produced and reproduced in the flow of everyday life, boundaries are also negotiated and shaped through social interactions and practices (Leppäkumpu & Sivunen, 2023), requiring scholars to continually revisit current everyday meanings. However, whereas Nippert‐Eng (2008, p. 16) argued that we ‘abandon or adopt specific segmenting and integrating practices along numerous dimensions as needed and desired’, her segmentation–integration continuum has been developed over time as individual preferred styles.…”