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‘I'm Home for the Kids’: Contradictory Implications for Work–Life Balance of Teleworking Mothers
Author(s) -
Hilbrecht Margo,
Shaw Susan M.,
Johnson Laura C.,
Andrey Jean
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
gender, work and organization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.159
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1468-0432
pISSN - 0968-6673
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-0432.2008.00413.x
Subject(s) - flexibility (engineering) , work–life balance , work (physics) , paid work , balance (ability) , family life , corporation , leisure time , psychology , perception , ideology , sociology , time management , social psychology , public relations , working hours , labour economics , business , political science , gender studies , management , economics , medicine , politics , physical activity , law , engineering , mechanical engineering , finance , neuroscience , physical medicine and rehabilitation
This study explores the experience of time flexibility and its relationship to work–life balance among married female teleworkers with school‐aged children. Drawing from a larger study of teleworkers from a Canadian financial corporation, 18 mothers employed in professional positions discussed work, leisure and their perceptions of work–life balance in in‐depth interviews. Telework was viewed positively because flexible scheduling facilitated optimal time management. A key factor was the pervasiveness of caregiving, which could result in ongoing tensions and contradictions between the ethic of care and their employment responsibilities. The ideology of ‘intensive mothering’ meant that work schedules were closely tied to the rhythms of children's school and leisure activities. The different temporal demands of motherhood and employment resulted in little opportunity for personal leisure. Time ‘saved’ from not having to commute to an office was reallocated to caregiving, housework or paid employment rather than to time for their self. The women also experienced a traditional gendered division of household labour and viewed telework as a helpful tool for combining their dual roles. Time flexibility enhanced their sense of balancing work and life and their perceived quality of life. At the same time, they did not question whether having the primary responsibility for caregiving while engaged in paid employment at home was fair or whether it was a form of exploitation.