Date of Award

Spring 2020

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School

Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development

Committee Chair

Dr. Cyndi H. Gaudet

Committee Chair School

Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development

Committee Member 2

Dr. Heather M. Annulis

Committee Member 2 School

Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development

Committee Member 3

Dr. H. Quincy Brown

Committee Member 3 School

Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development

Committee Member 4

Dr. Dale L. Lunsford

Committee Member 4 School

Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development

Abstract

As the growth in the number of dual-career couples continues, couples attempt to balance the demands of career and family (Berlato & Corrêa, 2017). A healthy work environment potentially supports a positive work-life balance for employees. Supportive work environments increase morale, job satisfaction, job retention, productivity, as well as a fulfilling family life (Molla, 2015). Failure to assist employees with finding work-life balance risk the loss of a positive work environment for a company’s employees and the entire organization. Therefore, this human capital study seeks to build on the current research surrounding assisting organizations to find work-life balance for their telework employees.

This study surveyed teleworkers and non-teleworkers to compare perceived differences of work-family conflict, family-work conflict, and role overload. Supported by Emery and Trist’s (1969) Sociotechnical Systems Theory, and DeSanctis and Poole’s (1994) Adaptive Structuration theory, this study sought to determine differences between telework and work-life balance. Using an ANOVA to compare the teleworkers and non-teleworkers, the study analyzes the participants’ (N = 68) answers of the Work-Family Interface Scale.

The study did not find a statistically significant difference between teleworkers and non-teleworkers’ work-life balance. Recommendations include conducting this study with a larger population and using additional demographic data as independent variables.

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