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Workplace Policy and Environment, Family Role Quality, and Positive Family-to-Work Spillover

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Abstract

We used role theory to direct our analysis of the association between family-friendly policies, workplace environment, family role quality, and positive spillover from family to work. Taking data from 104 dual-earner couples with children living in Utah, we examined the influence of both partners’ access to family-friendly policies, both partners’ workplace environments, and the family role quality reported by the couple. We found that family role quality was significantly associated with positive family-to-work spillover for men and women. In addition, women’s own workplace culture and the ability of women’s partners to leave work to care for children were associated with women’s positive family-to-work spillover. These findings were viewed through the lens of gender theory and traditionally structured institutions and roles.

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Acknowledgements

This article was prepared as a contribution to multi-state project W-167 with funding support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station (Project No. 869). We gratefully acknowledge the guidance and support of our late mentor and colleague, Gary Kiger.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, University of North Dakota, Gillette Hall Room 202, 225 Centennial Drive Stop 7136, Grand Forks, ND, 58202-7136, USA

    Daphne E. Pedersen & Krista Lynn Minnotte

  2. College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322-0700, USA

    Gary Kiger

  3. Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322-0730, USA

    Susan E. Mannon

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  1. Daphne E. Pedersen
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  2. Krista Lynn Minnotte
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Correspondence to Daphne E. Pedersen.

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Pedersen, D.E., Minnotte, K.L., Kiger, G. et al. Workplace Policy and Environment, Family Role Quality, and Positive Family-to-Work Spillover. J Fam Econ Iss 30, 80–89 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-008-9140-9

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