Journal of Business Ethics

, Volume 10, Issue 11, pp 863–869 | Cite as

Dependent care and the workplace: An analysis of management and employee perceptions

  • Janice J. Miller
  • Bette Ann Stead
  • Arun Pereira
Article

Abstract

This study attempts to identify differences in the perceptions of top management (defined as CEOs, directors, and presidents) and employees (defined as middle and supervisory management) regarding (a) the effects of dependent care responsibilities on job performance, and (b) the extent of a firm's responsibility in providing support for those faced with caring needs concerning eldercare, childcare, substance abuse, and mental/physical handicaps.

The results indicate that these two groups have significantly different perceptions of the effect of dependent care responsibilities on job performance, and on the firm's responsibility in providing support for three types of dependent care.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Anderson-Ellis, E.: 1988, ‘Elder Care Needn't Keep Employees Out of the Office’, Wall Street Journal (August 8), p. 14.Google Scholar
  2. Ansberry, C.: 1986, ‘Day-care Centers for Elderly Spring up As Alternative to Costly Nursing Homes’, Wall Street Journal (December 8), p. 25.Google Scholar
  3. Atchison, S. and Ehrlich, E.: 1987, ‘Off on a Business Trip, Don't Forget the Diapers’, Business Week (November 30), pp. 79–82.Google Scholar
  4. Azarnoff, R. and Scharlach, A.: 1988, ‘Can Employees Carry the Eldercare Burden?’, Personnel Journal 67, pp. 60–67.Google Scholar
  5. Buchholz, R. A.: 1989, Business Environment and Public Policy, 3rd Ed. (Prentice Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ).Google Scholar
  6. Dilworth-Anderson, P.: 1987, ‘Effectiveness of Family Support Group Involvement in Adult Day Care’, Family Relations Journal of Applied Family and Child Studies 36, pp. 78–81.Google Scholar
  7. Donaldson, Thomas and Werhane, Patricia H.: 1983, Ethical Issues in Business, 2nd Ed. (Prentice Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ).Google Scholar
  8. Fortune: 1988, ‘Facing the Music on Child Care’, (August 29), p. 11.Google Scholar
  9. French, H. W.: 1988, ‘Helping the Addicted Worker’, New York Times (March 26), pp. 29, 34.Google Scholar
  10. Freudenheim, M.: 1988, ‘Employers Act to Stop Family Violence’, New York Times (August 23), pp. 1, 40.Google Scholar
  11. Friedman, S.: 1987, ‘Eldercare: New Benefit Buzzword?’, National Underwriter 91, pp. 54, 71.Google Scholar
  12. Gregg, G.: 1986, ‘Putting Kids First’, New York Times Magazine (April 13), pp. 47–51, 88, 97, 99, 104.Google Scholar
  13. Halcrow, A.: 1988, ‘IBM Answers the Elder Care Need’, Personnel Journal 67, pp. 67–69.Google Scholar
  14. Hey, R. P.: 1988, ‘The Challenges of Caring for a Relative at Home’, Christian Science Monitor (May 26), p. 3.Google Scholar
  15. Kirwin, P.: 1986, ‘Adult Day Care: An Integrated Model’, Journal of Gerontological Social Work 9, pp. 59–71.Google Scholar
  16. Lewin Tamar: 1983, ‘Business Ethics' New Appeal‘, The New York Times (December 11), Section F, p. 4.Google Scholar
  17. Luthans, F., Hodgets, R. M., and Thompson, K. R.: 1987, Social Issues in Business. 5th Ed. (MacMillan, New York).Google Scholar
  18. Magnus, M.: 1988, ‘Eldercare: Corporate Awareness’, Personnel Journal 67, pp. 19–23.Google Scholar
  19. McKendrick, J.: 1985, ‘Cafeteria Benefits: Make Your Selection’, Management World 14, pp. 14–16.Google Scholar
  20. Merck & Co., Inc.: 1988, ‘Work & Family Life Support Activities’, 8 pp.Google Scholar
  21. Miller, M. J.: 1986, ‘Elderly Persons As Integenerational Child Care Providers’, Journal of Employment Counseling 23, pp. 156–162.Google Scholar
  22. New York Times: 1989, ‘More Hospitals Are Offering Day Care for Sick Children’ (February 26), p. 21.Google Scholar
  23. North S.: 1987, ‘Voucher System Helps Companies Administer Benefits for Child Care’, New England Business 9, pp. 35–36.Google Scholar
  24. Peterson, D. and Massengill, D.: 1988, ‘Childcare Programs Benefit Employers, Too’, Personnel 65, pp. 58–62.Google Scholar
  25. Rappaport, M.: 1984, ‘Childcare Comes of Age’, Management World 13, pp. 30–32.Google Scholar
  26. Robin, D. P. and Reidenbach, R. Eric: 1987, ‘Social Responsibility, Ethics, and Marketing Strategy: Closing the Gap Between Concept and Application’, Journal of Marketing 51 (January), pp. 44–58.Google Scholar
  27. Rodgers, F. S. and Rodgers, C.: 1989, ‘Business and the Facts of Family Life’, Harvard Business Review (November–December), pp. 121–129.Google Scholar
  28. Silverman, L.: 1985, ‘Corporate Childcare’, Vital Speeches 51, pp. 503–506.Google Scholar
  29. Sombke, L.: 1988, ‘Working Moms Now Are Toting Infants to Work’, USA Weekend (July 17), p. 14.Google Scholar
  30. Stackel, L.: 1986/1987, ‘Eldercare: An Emerging Phenomenon’, Employment Relations Today 13, pp. 359–364.Google Scholar
  31. Stone, R., Cafferata, G., and Sangl, J.: 1987, Caregivers of the Frail Elderly: A National Profile (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.).Google Scholar
  32. Sturdivant, F. D.: 1985, Business and Society, 3rd Ed. (Richard D. Irwin, Inc., Homewood, Illinois).Google Scholar
  33. Teltsch, K.: 1988, ‘Illinois Gives Families a Way to Assist Disabled Members’, New York Times (April 4), p. 1.Google Scholar
  34. Thomas, L. Th. and Thomas, James E.: 1990, ‘The ABCs of Childcare: Building Blocks of Competitive Advantage’, Sloan Management Review 31 (Winter), pp. 31–41.Google Scholar
  35. Thomas-Cote, N.: 1989, ‘Make Room for the Children’, Nation's Business (October), p. 13.Google Scholar
  36. ‘Travelers Steps Up Recruiting and Computer Training for Retirees’: 1987, (News Relaease, September 18), pp. 1–3.Google Scholar
  37. Wagel, W. H.: 1987, ‘Eldercare Assistance for Employees at the Travelers’, Personnel 64, pp. 4–7.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Kluwer Academic Publishers 1991

Authors and Affiliations

  • Janice J. Miller
    • 1
  • Bette Ann Stead
    • 1
  • Arun Pereira
    • 1
  1. 1.College of Business Administration, Dept. of MarketingUniversity of HoustonHoustonU.S.A.

Personalised recommendations