Work–Family Interference: Nurses in Norway and Finland

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of the study is to investigate the level of work-family interference (WFI) for part-time nurses in Norway and Finland. Part-time work is usually cited as a desirable way in which to facilitate work and family harmony. However, the opportunity to work part-time in professions may be associated with greater difficulties and challenges than commonly presumed. Part-time professionals are often stigmatized as being less committed to work and report fewer job rewards than colleagues in full-time positions. This study challenges the notion of the desirable consequences of work hour flexibility concerning the integration of work and family. Part-time nurses in Norway and Finland report an equal level or even higher levels of interference than nurses in full-time positions. A disproportional distribution of inconvenient work schedules appears to be a central explanation for the results reported by Norwegian nurses, but to a lesser degree by Finnish nurses.Keywords: nursing profession, part-time work, inconvenient work schedule, workfamily interference, Nordic countries Academic attention to professionals' part-time work has increased in the past decade, mainly driven by the increased demand for professionals in Western countries (Amble, 2008). The connection between the shortage of personnel and part-time work is clear. Part-time professionals are potential full-time professionals and constitute a major labour resource, particularly in countries with a high proportion of part-time work. However, part-time professionals are often stigmatized as being less committed to work, which can have profound consequences for their status and professional career opportunities (Epstein, Seron, Oglensky, & Saute, 1999). Women's career patterns, involving career breaks and part-time work, are at the root of assumptions about commitment. However, job rewards appear to be an equally relevant factor (Abrahamsen, 2010;Wallace, 1995). Within professions, part-time workers frequently report fewer job rewards and poorer work conditions than do colleagues in full-time positions (Abrahamsen, 2010; Andersen, Køber, & Rønning, 2008:27). Nevertheless, part-time work is usually depicted as positive for women and their work experience and home life. A common reason among women professionals for choosing part-time work is the need to be able to manage multiple life roles, especially those involving a caregiving responsibility (Jamieson, Williams, Lauder, & Dwyer, 2008; Olsen, 2002:59).The aim of this study is to investigate work-family interference (WFI) among Nordic nurses in part-time positions. Previous research has revealed that some nurses find the combination of full-time work and family obligations to be challenging. In addition to high workload, nurses mainly have to work schedules that include shift work and weekend work, which has been reported to increase work-family conflicts substantially (Albertsen et al., 2007:52; Jansen, Kany, Nijhius, Swaen, & Kristensen, 2004). A number of studies have dealt with the question of ho...

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“…In the reviewed papers, the differential aspects of WFC were concerned with cultural, job organization, gender and age variables. For cultural and social differences, Abrahamsen et al (2012) found a slightly higher level of WF interference for hospital nurses in Finland than in Norway. The level of WF interference for Norwegian nurses increased with extended part-time work, and for nurses in Finland with long hours.…”

“…All papers presented empirical research, and in some of them, the report was part of a wider study. For instance, in the study by Abrahamsen et al (2012), the data were gathered as a part of the European Nurses Early Exit Study. Also, those in the study by were part of the "Be Well Work Well" study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, Center for Work, Health and Wellbeing.…”

“…Regarding family variables, the authors considered households and family demands such as housework and child care. Assessing some households, Abrahamsen et al (2012) noticed that living with children in the absence of a partner was a critical factor for WF interference. Takeuchi and Yamazaki (2010) found that Work-Family Conflict (WFC) increased if nurses did not receive assistance with housework on workdays and spent much time on housework and childcare.…”

“…One study (Sharma et al, 2016) focused on stress level as a mediator between Work-family Conflict (WFC) and nurses' psychological health. Considering family composition and children's age, findings of a study by Abrahamsen et al (2012) revealed that the level of interference between work and family was dependent on whether there were children.…”

Part-time or Full-time Employment: Choices and Constraints

“…In developed countries, work-life balance has long been at the forefront of policy discourse (Abrahamsen et al, 2012;Craig & Sawrikar, 2009;Gregory & Milner, 2009). A key question in the work-life debate concerns the extent to which patterns reflect valueoriented choices or are a consequence of social and structural constraints.…”