I wouldn't be working this way if I had a family - Differences in remote workers' needs for supervisor's family-supportiveness depending on the parental status

Abstract

This study investigates how working remotely blurs the boundaries between work and non-work domains by contrasting the experiences of employees with different parental status. The study further shows how leaders can mitigate this blurring via family-supportive supervisor behaviours (FSSB), and extends the concept to encompass non-work roles beyond the family. Working from home leads to an increasing intertwining of work and non-work roles, with family status playing a significant role in shaping boundary challenges and support needs. Through semi-structured interviews with 89 employees working from home in various industries, the study reveals that parents and non-parents, distinct in their challenges and requirements, exhibit varied demonstrated needs from their leaders. As parent employees require flexible boundaries to attend to their family responsibilities, non-parent employees need safeguards to maintain boundaries around their private life. The results underscore that FSSB benefit employees regardless of parental status. This study emphasizes the importance of employers tailoring their work-life programs to accommodate the diverse needs of employees, and recognizes the pivotal role of supervisors in attuning their supportive behaviours to employees' work-nonwork boundary needs and preferences.