Managing work-life policies: disruption versus dependency arguments. Explaining managerial attitudes towards employee utilization of work-life policies |
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Authors: | Laura den Dulk Judith de Ruijter |
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Institution: | 1. Utrecht University , Utrecht, the Netherlands l.dendulk@uu.nl;3. Utrecht University , Utrecht, the Netherlands |
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Abstract: | What factors shape managerial attitudes towards the utilization of work-life policies? The influence of disruptiveness (Powell and Mainiero 1999) and dependency (Klein, Berman and Dickson 2000) arguments on managerial attitudes is examined using a vignette design. In this study, managers in four financial firms in the UK and the Netherlands were asked to judge hypothetical requests from employees to utilize work-life policies. Findings indicate that managers are mainly interested in the performance of their department or work unit, and work-life policies are often seen as disruptive. However, when the least disruptive request is considered (short-term leave), we find that dependency arguments also play an important role and managers are more likely to respond to their employees' personal and family needs. |
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Keywords: | dependency managerial attitudes vignette study work-life balance work disruption work-life policies |
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