The Use of Communication Technologies After Hours: The Role of Work Attitudes and Work-Life Conflict

Abstract

Communication technologies have made it increasingly feasible for employees to stay connected to work when not in the office. Yet we have little understanding of the implications for important aspects of work and work life. This study investigates how the use of communication technologies beyond normal work hours relates to work-related attitudes and work-to-life conflict. Results found that employees with higher ambition and job involvement were more likely to use communication technologies after hours. Furthermore, use of communication technologies after hours was associated with the employee's work-to-life conflict as reported by the employee and a significant other of the employee.

Balancing Borders and Bridges: Negotiating the Work-Home Interface via Boundary Work Tactics

“…Recent technological advances have translated into new ways for the work and home domains to interact and into both challenges and opportunities for work-home balance. On the one hand, being constantly available to both work and family through technology can breed work-home conflict and boundary violations (Boswell & Olson-Buchanan, 2007); on the other hand, technology can facilitate desired integration and work-home balance (Valcour & Hunter, 2005). …”

The Effect of Family Relationships on Technology-Assisted Supplemental Work and Work-Life Conflict among Academics

“…Kinman and Jones (2008) found that academics who worked during the evenings and on weekends experienced more WLC than academics who did not work after hours. It is therefore not surprising that studies in this field of research have suggested and found a significant relationship between TASW and WLC (Boswell & Olson-Buchanan, 2007;Fenner & Renn, 2010;Fenner & Renn, 2004;Messersmith, 2007). These studies reveal a positive relationship between TASW and WLC.…”

“…Studies have suggested that demographic factors such as gender, parental status, marital status and job position play an important role in influencing this relationship (Boswell & Olson-Buchanan, 2007;Parasuraman & Simmers, 2001;Venkatesh & Vitalari, 1992). For the purposes of this study, marital status and children are taken into consideration in examining the relationship between TASW and WLC.…”

“…In fact, Gornall and Salisbury (2012:141) commented that working from home was once considered a privilege for academics, but added, "perhaps there are now reasons to rethink this". There is strong consensus among researchers that ICTs are blurring the traditional boundaries between work and family (Currie & Eveline, 2010;Boswell & Olson-Buchanan, 2007). The fact that ICTs enable academics to easily engage in either role creates work-life conflict (WLC) (Batt & Valcour, 2003;Heijstra & Rafnsdottir, 2010).…”

“…The fact that ICTs enable academics to easily engage in either role creates work-life conflict (WLC) (Batt & Valcour, 2003;Heijstra & Rafnsdottir, 2010). The flexibility enabled by ICTs and the privilege of working from home therefore raises important questions pertaining to academics' WLB (Boswell & Olson-Buchanan, 2007). More so, engaging in TASW may have detrimental consequences on academics' family relationships.…”