The factor structure of the work/family conflict scale developed by Carlson, Kacmar, & Williams (2000) was analyzed for measurement invariance between a US and an Australian/New Zealand (ANZ) sample using a multisample confirmatory factor analysis procedure. Results indicated that factor pattern fit between the female samples on the common model was good-to-mediocre, and factor pattern fit between the male samples and the common model was mediocre-to-poor. Both samples exhibited significant changes in chi square when testing for the more restrictive factor loading equivalence. Partial measurement invariance revealed a better fit between the male samples when three of the items were unconstrained, and when eight items were unconstrained between the female samples. Finally, males and females in the ANZ sample exhibited factor pattern invariance, but required two items to be unconstrained before factor loading invariance was achieved. Mean differences on the six scales revealed higher levels of time-based work interference with family and family interference with work for males than for females in the ANZ sample.

Includes vita. / Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 141 pages. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: The factor structure of the work/family conflict scale developed by Carlson, Kacmar, & Williams (2000) was analyzed for measurement invariance between a US and an Australian/New Zealand (ANZ) sample using a multisample confirmatory factor analysis procedure. Results indicated that factor pattern fit between the female samples on the common model was good-to-mediocre, and factor pattern fit between the male samples and the common model was mediocre-to-poor. Both samples exhibited significant changes in chi square when testing for the more restrictive factor loading equivalence. Partial measurement invariance revealed a better fit between the male samples when three of the items were unconstrained, and when eight items were unconstrained between the female samples. Finally, males and females in the ANZ sample exhibited factor pattern invariance, but required two items to be unconstrained before factor loading invariance was achieved. / ABSTRACT: Mean differences on the six scales revealed higher levels of time-based work interference with family and family interference with work for males than for females in the ANZ sample. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The topic of work-life balance has become a highly contentious issue in many industrialized societies since the post-war period. Consequently, the topic has also become more prevalent in academic, managerial and national discussions. European states, both on the national level and as a bloc, have made notable advancements in assisting with work-life balance. The policies vary across different European countries, bringing into question the government‟s ability to influence women‟s employment decisions and effectively achieve higher levels of gender equality in the workplace. This paper studies France, and its extensive family policies aimed at facilitating work-life fit. France is known, and often commended, for its government subsidies and tax deductions for childcare, as well as full-time publicly funded day care for children under the age of six. Despite these measures, women on average still earn less than men. This paper makes the argument that work-life policies in France are not doing enough to help women in the workplace across different demographic and employment categories. Furthermore, the programs in place fail to address core issues of gender equality in the home, which undermines the efficacy of these policies to achieve equality for women in the work force.