Work-life interference: a perpetual struggle for women employees

• Published in: International journal of organizational analysis (2005) 2022-01, Vol.30 (2), p.181-196
• Main Authors: Shabir, Sana, Khan, Omar Fayaz, Gani, Abdul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dual career couples; Female employees; Gender; Marital status; Roles; Stress; Work environment; Work life balance; Workers; Working hours
• ISSN: 1934-8835; 1758-8561; 1934-8835
• DOI: 10.1108/IJOA-04-2020-2133

Purpose The turn of the twenty-first century witnessed significant shifts in the global work environment that led to employees’ personal and professional lives witnessing dynamic transformations. Work-life interference has become the norm rather than the exception for most employees, who, of late, experience more significant interference in balancing work obligations and family responsibilities. This study aims to examine the bi-directional interference experienced by working women in India’s health-care sector. Design/methodology/approach For this study, 850 questionnaires were distributed to selected health-care workers in Northern India. After eliminating the invalid questionnaires, 782 valid questionnaires were retained and used for further analyzes. Findings The study results revealed that working women in a collectivistic culture such as India experience higher work interference on personal life than personal life interference on work in the health sector. However, women health-care workers with higher support from their employers, families and colleagues experienced lower interference levels. Therefore, health organizations need to put a system in place to ensure the least interference in women employees’ personal lives by providing both emotional and institutional support. Originality/value This study undertakes to conceptualize the bidirectional nature of the work-life interface among India’s health-care workers. The findings would direct employers, employees and the practitioners involved in the health-care sector to execute policies and practices that attempt to facilitate work-life integration among the workers and generate positive organizational outcomes.