E-technology and work/life balance for academics with young children

Abstract

Since the late 1980s, research on post-industrialized economies shows that the boundary between work and family is increasingly becoming blurred. The continuing evolution of e-technology allows work for some to be done anywhere, anytime. This article examines the degree to which e-technology has transferred work into the home lives of academics and how this has affected their work/life balance. Drawing on a study in an Australian university of academics with young children, we utilise the terms 'work extensification' and 'work intensification' to explore whether these new technologies are a blessing or a curse in their work lives. At the same time we describe the deteriorating working conditions for Australian academics whose work has intensified and extended into their private lives with longer working hours in a speeded up environment. Our findings revealed the use of metaphors such as invasion and intrusion of e-technologies into academics' homes and their need to establish boundaries to separate work and family life. Most felt that having e-technologies at home was of benefit to their work but they came at a cost to their family life-delivering a blessing and a curse.

Organizational Leadership and Work-Life Integration: Insights from Three Generations of Men

“…Such observations support the work of other researchers who noted that while technology provides flexibility and allows employees to work anywhere (Brough & Kalliath, 2009), it has also blurred the lines between work and home (Sarker, Xiao, Sarker, & Ahuja, 2012). In fact, technological advancements may benefit organizations more than employees (Currie & Eveline, 2011). Gen X participants in the current study would agree.…”

‘New’ Men and ‘New’ Women: Cultural Identity Work of Husbands and Wives Related to Housework and Childcare

“…Husbands' greater involvement in housework could be attributed to wives having less time for these activities (Bianchi, Robinson, & Milkie, 2006). Coltrane (2000) points out that although the majority of men and women agree that household chores and childcare should be shared, very few men assume equal responsibility for household labour, and most wives still carry the greatest responsibility (Craig 2007;Currie & Eveline, 2011). In contrast, Zimmerman (2003 found in her study of 47 dual-career couples in the United States that both spouses shared housework equally.…”

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

“…In general, most professions, including academia have become more demanding. This trend has consequently compelled academics to work beyond normal office hours (Currie & Eveline, 2010;Santos & Cabral-Cardoso, 2008). Jacobs and Winslow (2004) found that full-time assistants, associate professors or full-time professors in various faculties exceeded working 50 hours per week.…”

“…Indeed, most of this work is performed after hours such as during evenings, weekends and on holidays (Kinman & Jones, 2008;O'Laughlin & Bischoff, 2005). Currie and Eveline (2010) reported that almost half of the academics in their sample accessed their work emails daily during their annual leave while a third accessed their work emails once a week. In addition, academics on study leave also accessed their work emails on a daily basis (Currie & Eveline, 2010).…”

“…Currie and Eveline (2010) reported that almost half of the academics in their sample accessed their work emails daily during their annual leave while a third accessed their work emails once a week. In addition, academics on study leave also accessed their work emails on a daily basis (Currie & Eveline, 2010).…”