Work-Family Conflict in Construction: Case for a Finer-Grained Analysis

Abstract

A multi-dimensional work-family conflict (WFC) scale was tested using a sample of 169 workers in the Australian construction industry. The construction sample showed higher mean score for time-, strain-and behaviour-based work-interference with family (WIF) than scores reported in international studies that have used the multi-dimensional scale. Waged construction workers, who work on site in direct construction activity, reported higher levels of time-and strain-based WIF than salaried workers, who work predominantly in office-based roles. Mean levels family-interference with work (FIW) in the construction sample were generally comparable to levels reported in previous research. A principal components analysis revealed four clear dimensions of WFC. These dimensions were significantly correlated with other variables of theoretical relevance indicating acceptable criterion validity. The experience of WIF varied by workers' employment situation, sex and work location, while the experience of FIW varied by workers' age. The results suggest that the use of global measures of WFC might mask important differences in construction workers' experiences at the work-family interface.

Work-Family Enrichment: Its Mediating Role in the Relationships Between Workplace Support Factors and Teachers’ Job Satisfaction

“…The researchers found that a higher level of supervisor support leads to a higher level of work-family enrichment. A positive relationship between supervisor support and work-family enrichment in a sample of employed workers irrespective of occupational group in the Australian construction industry was also reported by Lingard et al (2010). Beutell and Wittig-Berman (2008) conducted a study to explore generational effects affecting work-family synergy or enrichment.…”

Work-to-Family Conflict, Job Burnout, and Project Success among Construction Professionals: The Moderating Role of Affective Commitment

“…The direct result of job burnout is that construction professionals leave their organization and find another appropriate job to better balance the requirements of the work and family domains [6]. Moreover, the loss of resources (e.g., wellbeing, personal time, and energy) can lead construction professionals to produce negative emotions [48]. These negatively affect their physical and mental health.…”

System Dynamics Model and Simulation of Employee Work-Family Conflict in the Construction Industry

“…Other studies into the construction industry showed that competitive tendering [46] and tight project planning [47] led to long working hours, which in turn impacted significantly on employee work-life stress. Further research indicated that working hours, supervisor support and job flexibility could affect the degree of employee conflict [48]. WFC acts as the connection mechanism between work-schedule demands and employee burnout [49], while organizational support and other support characteristics at work can ease the relationship between employee WFC and job burnout [15].…”