Bakgrund: Revisionsbranschen befinner sig i en nedåtgående trend sett till antal revisorer. Revisionsyrket präglas av säsongsbetonad och ojämn arbetsbelastning, vilket resulterar i hög arbetsrelaterad stress på grund av tids- och budgetpress samt höga krav. Tidigare forskning visar att balans mellan arbetsliv och privatliv är viktigt för medarbetarens trivsel på arbetsplatsen. Tidigare forskning riktas främst mot situationen i revisionsbyråerna vilka benämns “The Big Four” varpå följande studie riktar sig mot chefer på mindre revisionsbyråer. Syfte: Studiens syfte är att identifiera och undersöka hur stödjande ledarskap används av chefer inom små regionala revisionsbyråer för att förbättra det psykosociala välbefinnandet för medarbetarna. Teoretisk referensram: Föreliggande studie använder teorier och begrepp som exempelvis stödjande ledarskap, Work-Life Balance, krav, kontroll och stöd. Kärnbegrepp inom studien är arbetsrelaterad stress vilket kan uppstå till följd av obalans av tidigare nämnda faktorer. Metod: I föreliggande studie användes en kvalitativ forskningsansats där semistrukturerade intervjuer utgjorde den huvudsakliga datainsamlingen som kompletterades med insamling av dokument. Åtta intervjuer genomfördes där svaren triangulerades med hjälp av dokumenten. Slutsats: Det studien visade var att det är avgörande för chefen att skapa en personlig relation till medarbetarna. Detta för att kunna identifiera behov och anpassa sig utifrån den givna situationen. Goda förmågor att planera och följa upp arbete är även en viktig faktor för chefer inom revisionsbranschen för att medarbetarna ska ha en kontrollerbar arbetssituation och därmed undvika såväl orimlig arbetsbelastning som arbetsrelaterad stress. Det kan vidare konstateras att ledarskap är individuellt utifrån chefen som medarbetaren där egenskaperna varierar och ledarskapet behöver anpassas utifrån båda parter. / Background: The auditing industry is currently in a declining trend in terms of the number of auditors. The audit profession is characterized by seasonal and uneven workload, which results in high work-related stress due to time and budget pressure and high demands. Previous research shows that balance between work life and private life is important for employees’ well-being in the workplace. Previous research is mainly aimed at the situation in the audit firms called “The Big Four”, whereupon the following study is aimed at managers at smaller audit firms.  Purpose: The purpose of the study is to identify and investigate how supportive leadership is used by managers within small regional auditing firms to improve the psychosocial well-being of employees.  Theory: The current study uses theories and concepts such as supportive leadership, work-life balance, demands, control and support. The core concept within the study is work-related stress, which may arise as a result of imbalance of previously mentioned factors.  Method: In this study a qualitative research approach was used where semi-structured in-depth interviews constituted the main data collection which was supplemented by the collection of documents. Eight interviews were conducted where the answers are triangulated with the help of documents.  Conclusion: The study showed that the crucial part for the manager is to create a personal relationship with the employees. This is to be able to identify needs and adapt based on the given situation. Good abilities to plan and follow up on work is also an important factor for managers within the audit industry and for the employees to have a controllable work situation and thus avoid both unreasonable workload and work-related stress. It can further be stated that leadership is individual based on the manager as the employee where the characteristics vary and leadership needs to be adapted based on both parties.

Technology has become part of society’s everyday functions, changing rapidly and providing widespread mobility. In South Africa alone, the amount of internet users grew from 8,5 million to 24,9 million in only three years (2011-2014). Currently 90% of these users access this facility from their mobile devices. This statistic illustrates the trend that South Africans are moving towards a continually connected lifestyle, a situation in which information and communication technology (ICT) seems to have become omnipresent. Due the rapid growth of ICT technology and its adoption into people’s lives (both personally and professionally) the influence of such a phenomenon needed to be investigated to understand its impact on individuals and society. Thus, the objective of the present research was to explore the role ICT plays in employees’ work and family domain. The research followed a qualitative research approach and made use of snowball sampling. The sample of participants (N=25) were mostly employees from a professional organisation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data and the interviews were recorded, transcribed and processed through thematic analyses. The analyses revealed the following four main themes with sub-themes flowing from it: 1) the usage of ICT; 2) the role of ICT usage; 3) the challenges relating to ICT usage; and 4) managing work-life interaction by using ICT. Theme 2 lend itself to be sub-divided into four minor subthemes namely: 1) the positive role of ICT usage; 2) the negative role of ICT usage; 3) the role ICT plays in relationships; and 4) the increased expectations brought about by ICT usage. The current research was not without certain limitations, which should be noted. The researcher only investigated the employees themselves and did not extend the unit of analysis to include the household of employees (esp. the partner or spouse). In addition, the majority of the participants were Afrikaans-speaking males, which is not a true reflection of the multicultural society of South Africa promoting gender equality in the work place. Based on the findings of the present research, various recommendations could be made. Future research could firstly enlarge the sample to be more representative of South Africa’s multicultural and diverse society, and secondly, to include the partner or spouse of employees. Organisations should also consider the implementation of various policies on ICT usage. These directives could include the following: a policy to ensure across the board ICT implementation; an after-work hours policy to ensure as little as possible infringement on employees work-life interaction; and a hierarchical policy ensuring the correct communication channels are followed. Lastly, future research could also do multiple comparative studies on the differences between the degree of ICT adoption, or the amount of ICT devices employees utilise and the impact this has on their work-life interaction. Such research can also investigate how the decrease in face-to-face communication impacts social interaction in both the work and nonwork domains and thereby affects employees’ work-life interaction. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Earnings by women in dual income families account for a significant portion of a household’s income, which sustains the financial well-being of their families. Cultural expectations and gender role stereotypes around a woman’s role in the family, pose challenges to career growth and retention. The social perception still occurs that women ought to be main caregivers of family members and households, and are more likely than men to have part-time jobs. The aim of the study was to determine the relationships between flexible work, financial well-being, work-life balance, productivity and job satisfaction of employed women. A cross-sectional survey was used with a convenience sample (n = 252) of female support employees, employed in a higher education institution in the North-West province. Findings of the study indicated statistically significant relations between the variables. Another objective was to determine the impact of flexible work, financial well-being, and work-life balance on productivity and job satisfaction. Results indicated that financial well-being, work-life balance and productivity were statistical significant predictors of job satisfaction, and in addition, subjective experiences of productivity serve as partial mediator in the relationship financial well-being and work-life balance on the one hand and job satisfaction on the other hand. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Technology has become part of society’s everyday functions, changing rapidly and providing widespread mobility. In South Africa alone, the amount of internet users grew from 8,5 million to 24,9 million in only three years (2011-2014). Currently 90% of these users access this facility from their mobile devices. This statistic illustrates the trend that South Africans are moving towards a continually connected lifestyle, a situation in which information and communication technology (ICT) seems to have become omnipresent. Due the rapid growth of ICT technology and its adoption into people’s lives (both personally and professionally) the influence of such a phenomenon needed to be investigated to understand its impact on individuals and society. Thus, the objective of the present research was to explore the role ICT plays in employees’ work and family domain. The research followed a qualitative research approach and made use of snowball sampling. The sample of participants (N=25) were mostly employees from a professional organisation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data and the interviews were recorded, transcribed and processed through thematic analyses. The analyses revealed the following four main themes with sub-themes flowing from it: 1) the usage of ICT; 2) the role of ICT usage; 3) the challenges relating to ICT usage; and 4) managing work-life interaction by using ICT. Theme 2 lend itself to be sub-divided into four minor subthemes namely: 1) the positive role of ICT usage; 2) the negative role of ICT usage; 3) the role ICT plays in relationships; and 4) the increased expectations brought about by ICT usage. The current research was not without certain limitations, which should be noted. The researcher only investigated the employees themselves and did not extend the unit of analysis to include the household of employees (esp. the partner or spouse). In addition, the majority of the participants were Afrikaans-speaking males, which is not a true reflection of the multicultural society of South Africa promoting gender equality in the work place. Based on the findings of the present research, various recommendations could be made. Future research could firstly enlarge the sample to be more representative of South Africa’s multicultural and diverse society, and secondly, to include the partner or spouse of employees. Organisations should also consider the implementation of various policies on ICT usage. These directives could include the following: a policy to ensure across the board ICT implementation; an after-work hours policy to ensure as little as possible infringement on employees work-life interaction; and a hierarchical policy ensuring the correct communication channels are followed. Lastly, future research could also do multiple comparative studies on the differences between the degree of ICT adoption, or the amount of ICT devices employees utilise and the impact this has on their work-life interaction. Such research can also investigate how the decrease in face-to-face communication impacts social interaction in both the work and nonwork domains and thereby affects employees’ work-life interaction. / MCom (Industrial Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Earnings by women in dual income families account for a significant portion of a household’s income, which sustains the financial well-being of their families. Cultural expectations and gender role stereotypes around a woman’s role in the family, pose challenges to career growth and retention. The social perception still occurs that women ought to be main caregivers of family members and households, and are more likely than men to have part-time jobs. The aim of the study was to determine the relationships between flexible work, financial well-being, work-life balance, productivity and job satisfaction of employed women. A cross-sectional survey was used with a convenience sample (n = 252) of female support employees, employed in a higher education institution in the North-West province. Findings of the study indicated statistically significant relations between the variables. Another objective was to determine the impact of flexible work, financial well-being, and work-life balance on productivity and job satisfaction. Results indicated that financial well-being, work-life balance and productivity were statistical significant predictors of job satisfaction, and in addition, subjective experiences of productivity serve as partial mediator in the relationship financial well-being and work-life balance on the one hand and job satisfaction on the other hand. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Research indicates that Kentucky agricultural educators are overworked and experience job related stress. Balancing work and home can be a struggle and stress induces burnout and teacher attrition. Shortages in the agriculture classroom could result in loss of agricultural education programs and negatively affect the profession. The purpose of this study was to 1) describe the demographics of Kentucky high school agricultural educators; 2) describe the work and home life balance for Kentucky agricultural educators; 3) determine the level of job satisfaction among Kentucky agricultural educators; 4) determine the perceived busiest time of the school year for Kentucky agricultural educators. The study was conducted on a census of the 2015-2016 Kentucky agriculture teacher directory and the survey was distributed online. Results indicate that agricultural educators work 52 hours per week, can balance work and home responsibilities with assistance from spouse/partner and experience job related stress on a regular basis. It was concluded that Kentucky agricultural teachers are satisfied with their job, but stressed about meeting the needs of work and family balance based on barriers including FFA activities, nightly meetings, childcare and time with spouse/partner.

<p>This thesis examines the relationship between work/life balance and Smartphones (Blackberry, iPhone, Android etc.)</p><p>Academic research has areas where not much research has been done previously including the qualitative research on work/life balance, positive crossover of work/life balance, newness of Smartphone technology, and consequences of constant connectivity. This study hopes to eliminate some of the gaps in these areas of research and proposes two research questions:  <strong>So what does owning a Smartphone mean for work life and home life?  Most importantly can this phone help people towards or assist with the balance they are so looking for or do the phones not impact this balance and just assist in the work life and home life realms separately?</strong></p><p>A qualitative approach using constructionist and interpretivist views were used to conduct the research. Empirical material was collected during phone interviews with participants in the USA, while supporting material was gathered from conference papers, academic articles, websites, and textbooks.</p><p>There are two major themes within this paper, work/life balance and Smartphone technology. For work/life balance a common understanding was reached that work and personal life should be kept happy but that doesn’t mean equal.  Also discussed is research about people that put up boundaries in their lives to try and separate things, one group of people likes to have work and personal separate but one group likes them combined.  Research also presents that there are consequences for setting up boundaries but that having the ability to choose where these boundaries are makes for a much happier situation.  On the technology side of research there is support for these devices being used to manage people’s different selves through communication from being more connected to people to feeling left out when the technology is not there. Also mentioned is how people adapt the devices to fit new and unique situations that the devices may not have been intended to be used for.</p>

Research about employed fathers of children with special health care needs (SHCN) is still limited, leaving fathers without the necessary workplace and community supports to better integrate work and life. Caregivers with exceptional caregiving responsibilities report greater levels of work-family conflict and considerable caregiver strain, as well as negative employment and financial consequences related to their caregiving responsibilities. These caregivers often struggle to access community supports such as childcare, after-school care, and support from friends and neighbors. This study provides insights into the types of job, home, and community resources that are relevant for fathers of children with SHCN in order to better integrate work and family. The exploratory cross-sectional design employed an online survey to collect the data, with 122 fathers meeting the study criteria of living at least part-time with a child with SHCN under the age of 18 and being employed at least part-time. The fathers had a mean age of 42 and most of them identified as Non-Hispanic White. The majority stated holding a college degree and over 90% reported being married or partnered. Fathers indicated having on average two children and Autism Spectrum Disorder was the most cited diagnosis for the child with SHCN. Regression analyses were conducted to analyze the study's research questions. Access and use of workplace flexibility were significant job resource measures predicting difficulty combining work and family, and spillover. Family flexibility to handle work issues was a significant predictor across all dimensions of positive and negative spillover. The availability of community services was found significantly related to negative family to work spillover and support from friends/neighbors was a significant predictor for both difficulty combining work and family, and spillover. Regression analyses with interaction terms of job and home resources showed buffering effects of resource ecologies on spillover. The study's findings illustrate that, fathers of children with SHCN struggle to integrate work and family even if they are not considered primary caregivers. Community, home, and job resources were salient for these fathers to mitigate a lack of resources across ecologies. This lack of resources tended to reinforce traditional gender norms for both mother and father. Resources within and across the three different ecologies were found to have direct and compensatory effects. Community resources were identified as the most important resources for both positive and negative spillover. The study also highlights the positive spillover effects related to employment and family care for fathers of children with SHCN. Organizations are called to reduce flexibility stigma and decrease barriers to using workplace flexibility to improve work-life fit for fathers caring for children with SHCN. Social services like childcare, or after school care, and social support are of critical relevance and need to better support these fathers and families. Considerations for future research are presented.

ABSTRACT In this dissertation, I explore my role as an administrator in higher education admissions at a major university and as a working mother who faces many real world challenges. The grueling travel demands, lofty enrollment goals, campus and inter-office politics, as well as the weekend and late night hours required, made it extremely difficult to achieve a healthy work life balance in admissions while also raising a small child. Additionally, "admissions" is increasingly becoming the "hot seat" within institutions of higher education. Gone are the days of an almost tenure like quality to enrollment professionals. If an enrollment director or vice president does not meet his numbers, their position is gone. Through Scholarly Personal Narrative methodology, I seek to inquire into my experiences and to understand and focus on my resilience and spirituality and how I have come to harness this power in my work with students and their parents in one of the most anticipated and often dreaded parts of individuation-- the college admissions process. I share how becoming a working (single) mother in this profession was especially challenging amidst the highest-ranking professional women where I worked, many of whom were not mothers. I could not find a role model at the top that had small children. In this process, I discovered that I could use my experience and education in a more family-friendly role--higher education consulting.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the legislation of parental leave in the Czech Republic and in Sweden in particular with respect to the possibilities of work-life balance, to evaluate an actual use of the system, its impacts on the individual labour markets and gender equality, to subsequently compare these two models and to propose amendments of legislation. The topic was chosen due to its significant impact on a vast amount of people and due to its currency with respect to a progressive change of perception of single parent's roles. The thesis is divided into five chapters following the main aim of the thesis, a comparison of several legislations. The first Chapter shortly describes the main terminology which has been used within the thesis and which is the main subject matter of the paper. Maternity, parental and paternity leave are defined mainly with respect to the purposes of the individual matters. The second Chapter deals with the legislation of the European Union. The relation of the Czech and European law in this field in general is analysed at first. An overview of legal documents related to the so called "family friendly policies" follows and the core of the chapter is the description of particular legislation of maternity, parental and paternity leave based on corresponding...