Work-Family Conflict of Dual Career Couples
1. Based on the case, identify and describe the main research problem. Traditionally, the role of taking care of children is considered to be the work of wives while the husband are the breadwinner (Aryee&Luk, 1996). Nowadays, more and more parents are dual-earner couples and the multiple roles of the parents create a lot of work-life conflict, especially for those who work in the same organizations. According to the statistics report conducted by the Queensland Government, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disabilities Services , the labour force participation rate is 60.7% for women and 72.9% for men (May 2012). In year 2007, Queensland recorded the highest fertility rates since 1977. In the same year female workforce participation rates were at an all time high. There were two main research problems which can be identified from the case. According to the record reviewed by the HR Manager of the Federal Government, it was learnt that nearly 15 percent of the married couples of the total staff of the state who were working for the same organization. The first problem was that more and more dual-career couples are facing work-family conflict. From the case, the lawyer tendered the resignation and chose to spare more time to take care of her sick two-year-old daughter.
Besides, the work-family conflict also affects the work-to-relationship among the dual-career couples. According to the statistics data from the Queensland Government in May 2012, Queensland women’s labour force participation is lower than that of their male counterparts, and gender representation across all levels of an organization tends to be unequal. There have been slight improvements in measures such as women’s representation in positions of public office and leadership, but no significant increases could be seen since 2004. Women are still not well represented in senior positions in any industry, particularly in those which have the greatest financial reward or in those
Besides, the work-family conflict also affects the work-to-relationship among the dual-career couples. According to the statistics data from the Queensland Government in May 2012, Queensland women’s labour force participation is lower than that of their male counterparts, and gender representation across all levels of an organization tends to be unequal. There have been slight improvements in measures such as women’s representation in positions of public office and leadership, but no significant increases could be seen since 2004. Women are still not well represented in senior positions in any industry, particularly in those which have the greatest financial reward or in those
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