American study shows knock-on effects of putting family first (PFF) strategy on spouses and co-workers

Abstract

Purpose

The authors say they invented a new construct of putting family first (PFF). They define PFF as “the voluntary behavior of intentionally putting one’s family ahead of work in a way that violates organisational norms”. They said it helped to understand how workers break rules to manage boundary conflicts. They wanted to test the impact on co-workers and spouses.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out two studies. The first one established a scale to measure PFF. The second one tested for links between PFF and both co-workers frustration and spousal dissatisfaction. To test their theories, the authors looked for US workers with spouses and co-workers.

Findings

Results showed PFF correlated significantly with the co-workers’ feelings of overload, frustration with work and work-family conflict. It also correlated significantly with the spouses’ stress transmission and relationship tensions. The results provided further validity of the scale developed in Study 1, as well as demonstrating the wider repercussions of PFF.

Originality/value

Results showed PFF correlated significantly with the co-workers’ feelings of overload, frustration with work and work-family conflict. It also correlated significantly with the spouses’ stress transmission and relationship tensions. The results provided further validity of the scale developed in Study 1, as well as demonstrating the wider repercussions of PFF.

Citation

(2021), "American study shows knock-on effects of putting family first (PFF) strategy on spouses and co-workers", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 27-28. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-03-2021-0071