Managing the work-home interface: The experience of women academics

Abstract

Research findings indicate that knowledge workers, such as academic employees, may have particular difficulties achieving an effective work-life balance. For several reasons, women academics may find managing the competing demands of work and home-life particularly challenging. This chapter explores women academics’ experiences of the work-home interface, the threats to work-life balance and the resources that can help them manage the competing demands of work and home life. It draws upon the findings of a longstanding programme of research to consider intrinsic aspects of the work and the individual boundary management behaviours that can facilitate or constrain women’s opportunities for recovery and engagement in family life and leisure. The need for multi-level interventions to help women craft a balance between work and home that recognise diversity and differences in women’s caring responsibilities and personal priorities and preferences is considered.