Workplace Predictors of Family-Facilitative Coworker Support

Abstract

In today's team-based work environments, coworkers have a unique opportunity to help one another manage work–family conflict through various forms of family-facilitative support. The authors explored four potential predictors of such coworker support. Results from surveys of 194 full-time working parents indicate coworkers are more likely to offer family-facilitative support when supervisors are supportive, the organization's work culture is family friendly, workgroup cohesion is high, and organizational justice perceptions regarding the administration of family-friendly benefits are high. Results suggest potential for coworker support is highest when the supervisor and work culture are family supportive, and when cohesion and justice are high.

KEYWORDS:

• work–family conflict
• working parents
• organizational culture
• family-friendly benefits

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Brian DesRoches and Leah Hatem for their assistance with data collection and entry.

Notes

Note. WIF = Work-to-family conflict; FIW = Family-to-work conflict; FSWE = Family supportive work environment. Because of missing data for some variables, N varied from 167 to 194.

*p < .05. **p < .01.

Note. WIF = Work-to-family conflict; FIW = Family-to-work conflict; FSWE = Family supportive work environment. Standardized beta coefficients are shown; N = 163.

*p < .05. **p < .01.

Note. WIF = Work-to-family conflict; FIW = Family-to-work conflict; FSWE = Family supportive work environment. Standardized beta coefficients are shown; N = 162.

*p < .05. **p < .01.

Note. *p < .05. **p < .01.