On-demand: When work intrudes upon employees’ personal time—does gender matter?

Abstract

Sophisticated communicative technologies coupled with today’s flexible jobs allow most employees in the United States to work anywhere at any time. Although many employees may desire and highly value this flexibility, some may unwillingly work during their personal time due to expectations to be “on-demand” (i.e., available 24/7) to their employers, co-workers, and clients. Executives, managers, and professionals (EMP) in particular may feel compelled to be “on-demand.” EMPs are not only heavily invested in their vital organizational roles, but they also bear substantial responsibility and face intense work pressures, especially those working in time-demanding organizations. I argue that the “on-demand” experiences of men and women in EMP roles are more similar than different. Not only are both male and female EMPs equally exposed to economic, organizational, and job-related pressures, but both male and female EMPs tend to hold egalitarian attitudes toward gender roles, heavily use CT for their jobs after work hours, and highly value their jobs. These attributes make EMPs more willing and able to be on-demand, regardless of their gender. Given that a lack of detachment from work during off-hours may negatively impact employees’ health, employers are called upon to help their employees manage their on-demands jobs.