The effect of work arrangements on perception of work-family balance

This research used a nationally representative sample of women and men in dual-earner families with children from the 1998 and 2005 time-use cycles of Statistics Canada's General Social Survey. The work extends knowledge on the effect of the use of three work arrangements: flexible schedules, shift work and self-employment, on respondents' reported satisfaction with their work-family balance. Results of regression analysis indicated that work arrangements strongly affected work-family balance and did so differently for women and men. For women, some control over the work schedule significantly improved the perception of balance. For men, both self-employment and shift work were negatively related to reported work-family balance. The results support a flexible approach by policy-makers and employers in formulating workplace policies that assist employees in achieving satisfaction with the balance between their family and work responsibilities.