The value of 21st century work–family supports: Review and cross‐level path forward

Abstract

Summary The adoption of work–family supports (WFSs), defined as discretionary and formal organizational policies, services, and benefits aimed at reducing employees' work–family conflict and/or supporting their family roles outside of the workplace, has become a growing trend in contemporary organizational life. Yet, despite their widespread popularity and vast scholarship investigating their effects, questions remain as to the value (i.e., positive effects or benefits) they provide to organizations and their stakeholders. In this review, we carefully examine and critique current research that explores the value of WFSs conducted within different academic disciplines, across global research contexts, and using a variety of methodological approaches. We pay particular attention to understanding the different ways and conditions under which employees and organizations can benefit from WFSs, and we highlight the potential paths (i.e., why and when) through which value can be experienced. In conducting this comprehensive review, we also discuss the critical theoretical and empirical limitations associated with extant studies. Lastly, we offer a path forward and agenda to explore new and novel directions for future research, including work and family relationships and cross‐level investigations of WFSs that integrate individual, interpersonal, and organizational perspectives.