Examining Work Experiences Among Collegiate Recreation Employees

Abstract

Research on the experiences of employees has been plentiful over the last decade; however, work examining the experiences of collegiate recreation employees is limited. In order to enhance employee well-being, it is important that management understands the experiences of their employees and can invest in job supports that best suit the needs of their employees. Therefore, this research study examined the impact of work and family conflict, workaholism, work engagement, burnout, and coping on employees within the industry of collegiate recreation. In this study, 2,474 National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) professional and student members were sent a survey in which 621 participated and 522 were analyzed. Results indicate employees with young children and those in early career positions may experience significant work–family conflict/family–work conflict and burnout.

The Relationship Between Sense of Community and Job Satisfaction Among Campus Recreation Center Employees

“…Although research on CRC has mainly paid attention to its participants, a few studies have examined CRC employees’ work experiences (Lopez et al, 2020). In order to extend the literature on CRC employees, this study examined the relationship between SOC and job satisfaction of CRC employees and the influence of their job classification and tenure on the levels of their SOC and job satisfaction.…”

“…One possible reason for the difference in job satisfaction between professional employees and student employees is workload and job responsibilities. In fact, Lopez et al (2020) claimed that CRC managers felt burdened for over workload and added work hours. It may negatively affect the satisfaction of operating conditions.…”

“…At the same time, some researchers have been interested in CRC employees employed campus recreation departments rather than participants’ outcomes (Griffith et al, 2011; Kampf, 2013; McFadden & Carr, 2015). Despite the researchers’ effort to contribute understanding of CRC employees, relevant research has been scarce (Lopez et al, 2020).…”

“…Other CRC employees, student employees, have different responsibilities such as managing equipment, instructing diverse recreation programs, and leading sport clubs, and it can be an opportunity for student employees’ professional development (Griffith et al, 2011; McFadden & Carr, 2015). With a claim that both professionals and student employees of CRC have experienced burnout and conflicts with their works and families, Lopez et al (2020) highlighted that employees’ experiences at the workplace might be a key to manage employees’ burnout and conflicts.…”

The family side of work-family conflict: A literature review of antecedents and consequences

“…Having younger children was assumed to be associated with higher work-family conflict, because, for example, the time investment in care is expected to be higher for younger children (Gallie & Russell, 2009). All studies included in our review uniformly point in this direction (Allen & Finkelstein, 2014;Erickson et al, 2010;Fettro & Nomaguchi, 2018;Gallie & Russell, 2009;Lopez et al, 2020;Nomaguchi, 2009;Nomaguchi & Fettro, 2019). Both WFC and FWC were highest among parents of young children before school age.…”