Exploring the relationship of workplace flexibility, gender, and life stage to family-to-work conflict, and stress and burnout

Abstract

This study explores how the reported use and perceived value of five workplace flexibility options differ by gender and life stage. It also examines the relationship of perceived workplace flexibility, gender, and life stages to family-to-work conflict and stress and burnout. Data are from a multi-company database created by WFD Consulting containing the results of studies conducted in multiple organizations between 1996 and 2006. Results revealed a curvilinear relationship in differences between men and women in the use of workplace flexibility options over the life course. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) revealed that perceived flexibility consistently predicted less family-to-work conflict and less stress and burnout. Gender (being female) was also modestly associated with greater family-to-work conflict and greater stress and burnout. The addition of life stage variables significantly increased the proportion of the variance explained in family-to-work conflict and stress and burnout. The addition of the interaction of life stage and gender significantly increased the proportion of the variance explained in family-to-work conflict but not in stress and burnout. These results support the idea that gender, life stage, and their interactions are important variables in research related to workplace flexibility.