Support for the work-life balance in Europe: the impact of state, workplace and family support on work-life balance satisfaction

Abstract

This article studies the relevance of different types of support for satisfaction with work life balance. More specifically, it investigates the relevance of state, instrumental and emotional workplace and family support, based on a survey of 7867 service-sector workers in eight European countries. The article starts by mapping available state, workplace and family support in order to determine which source dominates in which country and whether these sources match Esping-Andersen’s welfare regime typology. The impact of the different support sources is then examined. Findings indicate that support for employee work-life balance satisfaction has a direct and moderating effect. Finally, results show that emotional support and instrumental support in the workplace have a complementary relationship. Whereas emotional family support has a positive impact on work-life balance satisfaction, instrumental family support does not.

Who Benefits More from a Balanced life? Gender Differences in Work-life Balance and Satisfaction with Life in Eight Post-communist Countries

“…Because of this argument, a description of the social and economic effects of the transition from state socialism to capitalism in CEE countries becomes necessary. The transition to a new regime has greatly affected three elements of the national context: it has brought about: (1) a decrease in provisions at the level of the state (Abendroth and den Dulk, 2011;den Dulk et al, 2010), (2) an increase in economic development (Trefalt et al, 2013), and (3) an expansion in economic freedom (Trefalt et al, 2013).…”

How do male managers narrate their female spouse ' s role in their career?

“…Lastly, instead of assuming that work-family integration is a similar phenomenon in all kinds of organizations, fields of business and occupations, more understanding is needed of how the characteristics and policies of a specific workplace or field of business affect work-family integration (Bailyn & Harrington, 2004;Abendroth & Den Dulk, 2011). As I have said, individual work-family integration varies a great deal, and representing homogeneous groups or fields of business as similar in terms of work-family integration takes too much for granted.…”

Reflection on Doing Qualitative Research: Interviewing Silent Women

“…However, substantial number of literature focuses on spousal or husband's support considering him as what is termed as 'the significant other' (Abendroth and den Dulk, 2011). Several studies show that while women may have various sources of support, spousal support frequently emerged as the critical support in reducing family to work conflict (Aycan and Eskin, 2005).…”