Study: Qualitative Research and Work-life Balance
Employee Benefits at HealthCo
Purpose of the Case:
1. To apply basic OD processes, such as diagnosis and change management, to issues related to employee and organizational work-life issues, benefits, and programs.
2. To understand and appreciate some of the issues related to individual work-life balance, and related organizational support for it.
Overview of the Case:
HealthCo is a non-profit, fully integrated healthcare company. Background and an overview of the company are given in the case.
The case provides three scenarios involving an employee and their immediate supervisor. In each scenario, work-life balance or conflict is the key issue.
The scenarios raise issues of the role of immediate supervisor in supporting work-life balance or not, future issues in work-life balance, and the role of organization-wide programs and benefits.
A great deal of literature exists in the business press on work-life balance and related issues.
1. Diagnosis of the Situation
This case provides a situation in which the approach to and process of diagnosis is crucial.
A. The case notes that external researchers have surveyed female employees, which provides some initial data. The case also notes differences in concerns and approaches to work-life balance by department/area of the hospital, and, in particular, the difference between 24/7 and 9to-5 departments.
B. The methods of diagnosis should be a key focus. While a survey or quantitative instrument could provide some key information, effective diagnosis would likely involve both quantitative and qualitative data. Qualitative approaches would include focus groups or interviews. Quantitative data could show average or mean support by department managers for an issue like flexible scheduling, but would not begin to explore the issues of flexible scheduling in critical care areas versus the legal department.
C. Work-life issues vary significantly by age, gender, family status, and life stage.
Purpose of the Case:
1. To apply basic OD processes, such as diagnosis and change management, to issues related to employee and organizational work-life issues, benefits, and programs.
2. To understand and appreciate some of the issues related to individual work-life balance, and related organizational support for it.
Overview of the Case:
HealthCo is a non-profit, fully integrated healthcare company. Background and an overview of the company are given in the case.
The case provides three scenarios involving an employee and their immediate supervisor. In each scenario, work-life balance or conflict is the key issue.
The scenarios raise issues of the role of immediate supervisor in supporting work-life balance or not, future issues in work-life balance, and the role of organization-wide programs and benefits.
A great deal of literature exists in the business press on work-life balance and related issues.
1. Diagnosis of the Situation
This case provides a situation in which the approach to and process of diagnosis is crucial.
A. The case notes that external researchers have surveyed female employees, which provides some initial data. The case also notes differences in concerns and approaches to work-life balance by department/area of the hospital, and, in particular, the difference between 24/7 and 9to-5 departments.
B. The methods of diagnosis should be a key focus. While a survey or quantitative instrument could provide some key information, effective diagnosis would likely involve both quantitative and qualitative data. Qualitative approaches would include focus groups or interviews. Quantitative data could show average or mean support by department managers for an issue like flexible scheduling, but would not begin to explore the issues of flexible scheduling in critical care areas versus the legal department.
C. Work-life issues vary significantly by age, gender, family status, and life stage.