Chapter 2: Why Doesn't Work Work?
It's deep-seated assumptions that keep us doing work in the same way.
Work is stuck in a 1950s model that no longer matches the workplace of today.
This video outlines three interlocking cultural norms that keep work stuck. By understanding this larger framework, you will be able to move beyond surface issues to create lasting, workable solutions.
Why Doesn't Work Work?: Resources
- Work-Family Conflict is not the Problem. Overwork Is.: Ely and Padavic argue that flexibility policies alone won't solve what's wrong with work. We must address the culture of overwork.
- Where's the Boss? Trapped in a Meeting: This "Wall Street Journal" article looks at the amount of time CEOs spend in meetings and questions whether more meetings translate to an effective use of executive time.
- Debunking Five Myths Concerning Employee Engagement: A recent report debunks the myths and reveals practices for enhancing...: This short list shows how current practices are not producing the most effective employees. Five commonly-held myths regarding employee engagement provide clues as to how to assess outdated workplace ideas, and provide examples of ways to promote a positive work culture.
- Employer Support for Workplace Flexibility has Declined Since 2008: Now Get Back To Work: This article reveals that support for workplace flexiblity is declining. It shows the negative effects of this decline and offers suggestions for the next steps in workplace redesign.
- Extreme Jobs: The Dangerous Allure of the 70-Hour Work Week: This Harvard Business School report shows how overwork is dangerous for individuals, the workplace, and society at large.
- The Three Faces of Work-Family Conflict: The Center for American Progress explores work-family conflict and the disconnect between families, workers, and policymakers.
- Building Flexibility Into the Way We Work: Kelly and Mohen discuss the problems with current flexibility policies and how to reshape them to fit the needs of today's workers.
Why Doesn't Work Work?: References
Workplace Compliance With the Law: The Case of the Family and Medical Leave Act
Armenia, Amy, Naomi Gerstel and Coady Wing. 2013. "Workplace Compliance With the Law: The Case of the Family and Medical Leave Act." Work and Occupations. Advance Online Publication.
Ask and Ye Shall Receive? The Dynamics of Employer Provided Flexible Work Options and the Need for Public Policy
Brescoll, Victoria L., Jennifer Glass, and Alexandra Sedlovskaya. 2013. "Ask and Ye Shall Receive? The Dynamics of Employer Provided Flexible Work Options and the Need for Public Policy." Journal of Social Issues 69(2): 367–388.
Consequences of Flexibility Stigma Among Academic Scientists and Engineers
Cech, Erin A. and Mary Blair-Loy. 2014. "Consequences of Flexibility Stigma Among Academic Scientists and Engineers." Work and Occupations 41(1): 86-110.
Getting a Job: Is There a Motherhood Penalty?
Correll, Shelley J, Steven Benard and In Paik. 2007. "Getting a Job: Is There a Motherhood Penalty?" American Journal of Sociology 112(5): 1297-1339.
The Origins of the Ideal Worker: The Separation of Work and Home in the United States From the Market Revolution to 1950
Davies, Andrea Rees and Brenda D. Frink. 2014. "The Origins of the Ideal Worker: The Separation of Work and Home in the United States From the Market Revolution to 1950." Work and Occupations 41(1): 18-39.
Limited Access: Disparities in Flexible Work Schedules and Location
Golden, Lonnie. 2007. "Limited Access: Disparities in Flexible Work Schedules and Location." Journal of Family and Economic Issues 29(1): 86-109.
Gendered Challenge, Gendered Response: Confronting the Ideal Worker Norm in a White Collar Organization
Kelly, Erin L. Samantha K. Ammons, Kelly Chermack, Phyllis Moen. 2010. "Gendered Challenge, Gendered Response: Confronting the Ideal Worker Norm in a White Collar Organization." Gender and Society 24(3) 281-303.
Managing Flexible Work Arrangements in US Organizations: Formalized Discretion or ‘A Right to Ask
Kelly, Erin L. and Alexandra Kalev. 2006. "Managing Flexible Work Arrangements in US Organizations: Formalized Discretion or ‘A Right to Ask." Socio-Economic Review 4(3): 379-416.
Getting There from Here: Research on the Effects of Work–Family Initiatives on Work–Family Conflict and Business Outcomes
Kelly, Erin. L., Ellen Ernst Kossek, Leslie B. Hammer, Mary Durham, Jeremy Bray, Kelly Chermack, Lauren A. Murphy, and Dan Kaskubar. 2008. "Getting There from Here: Research on the Effects of Work–Family Initiatives on Work–Family Conflict and Business Outcomes." The Academy of Management Annals 2(1): 305-349.
In Pursuit of Equity: Women, Men, and the Quest for Economic Citizenship in 20th Century America
Kessler-Harris, Alice. 2001. In Pursuit of Equity: Women, Men, and the Quest for Economic Citizenship in 20th Century America. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Using Additional Information on Working Hours to Predict Coronary Heart Disease: A Cohort Study
Kivmaki, Mika, G. David Batty, Mark Hamer, Jane E. Ferrie, Jussi Fahtera, Marianna Virtanene, Michael G. Marmot, Archana Singh-Manoux, and Martin J. Shipley. 2011. "Using Additional Information on Working Hours to Predict Coronary Heart Disease: A Cohort Study." Annals of Internal Medicine 154(7): 457-463.
Invisible Inequality: Social Class and Child Rearing in Black Families and White Families
Lareau, Annette. 2002. "Invisible Inequality: Social Class and Child Rearing in Black Families and White Families." American Sociological Review 67: 747-766.
Opting Back In: The Influence of Time at Home on Professional Women's Career Redirection after Opting Out
Lovejoy, Meg and Pamela Stone. 2012. "Opting Back In: the Influence of Time at Home on Professional Women's Career Redirection after Opting Out." Gender, Work & Organization 19(6): 631-653.
The Career Mystique
Moen, Phyllis and Patricia V. Roehling. 2005. The Career Mystique. Boulder, CO: Rowman and Littlefield.
Pluralistic Ignorance and the Flexibility Bias: Understanding and Mitigating Flextime and Flexplace Bias at Work
Munsch, Christin L., Cecilia L. Ridgeway, and Joan C. Williams. 2014. "Pluralistic Ignorance and the Flexibility Bias: Understanding and Mitigating Flextime and Flexplace Bias at Work." Work and Occupations 41(1): 40-62.
Opting Out? Cohort Differences in Professional Women's Employment Rates from 1960-2005
Percheski, Christine. 2008. "Opting Out? Cohort Differences in Professional Women's Employment Rates from 1960-2005." American Sociological Review 73(3): 497-517.
Opting Out?: Why Women Really Quit Careers and Head Home
Stone, Pamela. 2007. Opting Out?: Why Women Really Quit Careers and Head Home. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
A Question of Justice: Disparities in Employees' Access to Flexible Schedule Arrangements
Swanberg, Jennifer E., Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, and Krista Drescher-Burke. 2005. "A Question of Justice: Disparities in Employees' Access to Flexible Schedule Arrangements." Journal of Family Issues 26(6): 866-895.
Long Working Hours and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: A 5-year Follow-up of the Whitehall II Study
Virtanen, Marianna, Jane E. Ferrie, Archana Singh-Manoux, Martin J. Shipley, Stephen A. Stansfeld, Michael G. Marmot, Kirsi Ahola, Jussi Vetera, and Mika Kivmaki. 2011. "Long Working Hours and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: A 5-year Follow-up of the Whitehall II Study." Psychological Medicine 41(12): 2485–2494.
Unbending Gender: Why Work and Family Conflict and What to do about it
Williams, Joan C. 2000. Unbending Gender: Why Work and Family Conflict and What to do about it. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.
