Dual-earner couples and the decision to work less: A conceptual model

Abstract

This paper examines the factors that affect the decision made by dual-earner couples concerning the possibility of one (or both) partners working a reduced-hours schedule. W e rely on a comprehensive review of the literature on part-time work among dual-earner couples and on the factors that affect the decisions couples make about their work hours as well as preliminary findings from our ongoing study to consider two key questions: (1) What factors do dual-earner couples take into account when they consider whether one or both might work a reduced-hours schedule? (2) r f the couple decides that one partner will work a reduced-hours schedule, how do they decide which partner reduces the hours of employment? Most previous research has focused on the central& of gender in the decisions that couples make concerning the hours that they work. However, our review of the literature and the preliminary findings of our current research suggest that there are other factors that affect (directly or indirectly) the couples' decisions related to part-time options. Based on this review we present a new decision-making model for two-earner couples that will have implications for future research and policy initiatives. This paper is particularly timely for several reasons: the number of dual-earner couples continues to increase; there is some indication that more employees would choose to reduce their work hours i f that were a viable option; and recently, managers and professional workers have become more vocal about their interest in part-time career options. KEY WORDS Part-time; decision making; dual-earner couples F&SUME Cet exposi examine les facteurs qui influencent la de'cision prisi par des couples ou les deux partenaires sont salariis et concernant la possibilite' que 1 'un ou l'autre des partenaires ou les deux ensemble diminuent leur temps de travail. Nous nous basons: (1) sur l'examen approfondi des publications concernant le travail a temps partiel parmi les couples OM les deux gagnent un salaire; (2) sur les facteurs qui determinent leur de'cision en rapport avec leurs heures de travail; (3) sur les resultats prelirninaires de notre propre e'tude qui examine les deux questions principales suivantes: (a) Quels sont les facteurs que les couples prennent en consideration si l'un ou les deux dkcident de travailler a temps partiel? (6) Quels sont les criteres pris en consideration par le couple pour dkcider qui des deux va reduire son temps de travail? La plupart des recherches antirieures se sont centries sur la question du sexe determinant la de'cision prisi par les couples en regard des heures qu'ils dedient au travail, alors que notre 274 Rosalind C. Barnett 65' Lena Lundgren examen de la litterature et les resultats priliminaires de notre recherche actuelle suggere qu 'il y a d'autres facteurs qui influencent directement ou indirectement la prise de decision. En nous basant sur ces resultants resultats, nous prisentons un nouveau modile pour la prise de dicision des couples de travailleurs qui aura des implications ...

Part-Time Work in the Nordic Region II

“…The choice to reduce work hours is rarely framed theoretically. In their article, Barnett and Lundgren (1998) develop a model where they maintain that couples take several factors into account in their decisions. Gender or gender role ideology alone is not sufficient.…”

Unintended consequences of job redesign

“…Organizations may perceive reduced-hours MDs as less committed to their work than their full-time peers and may treat them accordingly. Support for this interpretation comes from studies indicating that reduced-hours professionals often feel exploited and marginalized at work (Barnett & Lundgren, 1998;Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts Employment Issues Committee, 2000). Other difficulties reported by reduced-hours professionals include problems with timely promotion (Levinson, Kaufman, & Bickel, 1993), assumptions that they are not serious about their careers (Fein & Garfield, 1991), and the design of benefit programmes.…”

The Psychology of Becoming a Successful Worker

“…In an ideal situation, spouses refl ect upon their own and each other's biological, psychological and economic needs. They may end up with an arrangement whereby (1) both work full-time, standard work schedules; (2) both work full-time, non-standard work schedules; (3) one works full-time, one works reduced hours; or (4) both work reduced hours (Barnett and Lundgren 1998 ). From the marital point of view, whether or not spouses work together (i.e., in the same workplace) is also signifi cant.…”

“…Many theories describe career-related solutions more as individual decisions (Barnett and Lundgren 1998 ), not as shared with spouses or the family as a whole. Employees of the Year disagreed with this; they thought that it was crucial to make career-related decisions together with their families.…”

“…Indeed, fi nancial matters are essential to this phenomenon (see, for example, Barnett 2004 ;Barnett and Lundgren 1998 ). Barnett and Lundgren ( 1998 ) illustrate issues that spouses need to solve when making work-related decisions. Fundamentally, the decisions are based on economic and social factors and, for example, on gender-related attitudes to work.…”