The Family Responsive Workplace

Abstract

Women's entrance into the labor market in large numbers has exacerbated incompatibilities between employer and family interests. Research reveals that conflict between paid work and family responsibilities has been linked to decreased employee productivity as well as decreased family functioning. In this review, we explore the nature of job/family incompatibility, organizational interests in family responsive policies, and the current prevalence of various policies within work organizations. We then review what is known about the effectiveness of particular family-responsive policies on organizational and family functioning. Finally, we consider barriers to further institutionalization of family responsive policy and suggest future research and policy directions.