Work–family enrichment in the Australian construction industry: implications for job design

Abstract

A survey of waged and salaried, project‐based construction workers was conducted. The survey measured work–family enrichment, a type of positive interaction between work and family life. A six‐item work–family enrichment scale confirmed the bi‐directional nature of work–family enrichment. Job‐related correlates of work‐to‐family enrichment were identified. Flexibility, perceptions of control, time adequacy and supervisor support were all positively correlated with work‐to‐family enrichment. Regression analyses were performed to examine the extent to which the relationship between these job‐related resources and work‐to‐family enrichment were mediated by perceptions of work schedule fit. Work schedule fit fully mediated the relationship between flexibility and control and work‐to‐family enrichment. The relationship between supervisor support and time adequacy were only partially mediated by work schedule fit, though a significant mediation effect was still observed. The research suggests that jobs may be designed to facilitate work–family enrichment in the construction industry, in particular through the provision of supervisor support, flexibility, time adequacy and control.

Keywords:

• Work–family enrichment
• supervisor support
• flexibility
• job design
• resources

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Australian Research Council under Linkage Project Grant LP08820335. Grateful thanks are also extended to employees at the West Gate Freeway Alliance construction project.