Perceptions of Work and Nonwork

Abstract

A sample of 178 individuals was asked to describe their work experiences, nonwork experiences, and their self-concept using the same set of 25 semantic differential scales. The same individuals also provided information regarding some limited aspects of their nonwork behavior. Comparisons of the semantic differential descriptions permitted each individual to be classified into one of the following four types: Spillover- Work-oriented, Spillover-Nonwork-oriented, Compensatory-Work-oriented, and Compensatory-Nonwork-oriented. Analysis of the content of the descriptions revealed that spillover individuals of both types described their work and nonwork experiences in positive terms. Compensatory individuals, however, showed sharp contrasts. Those who were work-oriented appeared to compensate for the level of variety, creativity, and challenge of their work by choosing nonwork activities with less of these characteristics. Compensatory-Nonwork-oriented individuals, however, compensated in the opposite direction and appeared to be actively making up for deprivations at work in their choice of nonwork activities.

Engaging in personal business on the job: Extending the presenteeism construct

“…There is considerable opinion and evidence in the literature that work does not exist separate from personal life realms (Champoux, 1978(Champoux, , 1980Clark, 2000;Cohen, 1997aCohen, , 1997bCrooker, Smith, & Tabak, 2002;Crouter, 1984;Fredriksen-Goldsen & Scharlach, 2001;Greenhaus & Beutell, 1985;Hochschild, 1997;Kanter, 1977;Kelly & Kelly, 1994;Kirchmeyer, 1993Kirchmeyer, , 1995Lance & Richardson, 1988;Lewis, Rapoport, & Gambles, 2003;Near et al, 1980;Watkins & Subich, 1995;Wilensky, 1960). This relationship of work, home, and leisure has been described by the crossing of life realm boundaries where individuals balance life realms and life roles by crossing the permeable, flexible borders between them (Ashforth, Kreiner, & Fugate, 2000;Clark, 2000;Hall & Richter, 1988).…”

Multiple roles and organizational commitment

“…A segmentation model has been added in which life activities away from work are assumed to be independent of job activities (see Kabanoff and O'Brien, 1980). The three models are based on the similarity or dissimilarity in behaviours and activities at work and away from work (Champoux, 1978), with all three receiving some empirical support (Kabanoff and O'Brien, 1980). Rather than assuming the traditional focus on the similarity of work and nonwork activities, role theory permits an examination of the importance of, and effort devoted to, multiple roles.…”

Working hard or hardly working: A study of individuals engaging in personal business on the job

“…Traditionally, work life is thought to dominate the weekday, whereas home, family, and leisure interests play a larger role on weeknights and weekends. Many have suggested that this is not the case in practicethat work, home, and leisure life realms overlap and do not exist as separate entities (Champoux, 1978;Clark, 2000;Crouter, 1984;Kanter, 1977;Watkins & Subich, 1995;Wilensky, 1960), and empirical research supports this claim (Champoux, 1980;Cohen, 1997aCohen, , 1997bKirchmeyer, 1993;Lance & Richardson, 1988). For example, some research suggests the benefits of recognizing that a person's outside-work identity spills into their job (Bond et al, 1998) and recommends relating to employees as individuals rather than just as workers (Friedman et al, 2000).…”