• Login
    View Item 
    •   Research Bank Home
    • Study Areas
    • Construction + Engineering
    • Construction + Engineering Undergraduate Research
    • View Item
    •   Research Bank Home
    • Study Areas
    • Construction + Engineering
    • Construction + Engineering Undergraduate Research
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Employee preferences for work-life balance initiatives in a large New Zealand construction company

    Morrison, Emily Jane

    Thumbnail
    Share
    View fulltext online
    Emily Morrison_2010.pdf (1.732Mb)
    Date
    2010
    Citation:
    Morrison, E. J. (2010). Employee preferences for work-life balance initiatives in a large New Zealand construction company. (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Construction). Unitec Institute of Technology. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10652/1783
    Permanent link to Research Bank record:
    https://hdl.handle.net/10652/1783
    Abstract
    Work-life balance initiatives are often provided by companies to counter the prevalence of work-life conflict stemming from today‟s societal pressures. The construction industry can be a high pressure, high stress industry demanding long working hours, and it is posited that work-life balance initiatives are important for the future sustainability of the industry. Relatively little is known regarding the types of initiatives employees within the New Zealand construction industry prefer. The study‟s objectives are to (1) rank and compare preferences for work-life balance initiatives of employees within a large New Zealand construction company and compare these results with those of a similar Australian study (Lingard and Francis, 2005) and (2) use the demographic information gathered to define typical working hours. The survey method incorporating an electronic questionnaire enabled the collection of a cross-section of wide-ranging, empirical data from a large number of respondents in a relatively short amount of time. Elicited data included demographic information, employee preference ratings for work-life balance initiatives and two, qualitative, open ended questions. The results show that employees are interested in a variety of work-life balance initiatives and do have concerns regarding different issues around work-life balance. Findings support the notion that there is no „one-size-fits-all‟ policy appropriate for all companies or group of employees and that the provision of a wide variety of initiatives from which employees can choose during different stages in their life and career is ideal. Furthermore, it was found that a significant portion of employees work very long hours and that working hours vary significantly depending on job role and location. Qualitative results suggest that there is some work-life conflict associated with working long hours and weekend work. In order to attract and maintain valuable employees, it is important that the industry continually strives to provide useful work-life balance initiatives, reasonable working hours for its employees, and supportive workplace cultures in line with such initiatives. Further study could address whether or not employees feel organisational culture, supervisors and managers support the initiatives provided within their company. A sub-research question could investigate whether employees are aware of all available initiatives and how they are used.
    Keywords:
    work-life balance, construction industry, employee preferences
    ANZSRC Field of Research:
    150305 Human Resources Management
    Degree:
    Bachelor of Construction
    Supervisors:
    Thurnell, Derek
    Rights:
    This digital work is protected by copyright. It may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: Any use you make of these documents or images must be for research or private study purposes only, and you may not make them available to any other person. You will recognise the author's and publishers rights and give due acknowledgement where appropriate.
    Metadata
    Show detailed record
    This item appears in
    • Construction + Engineering Undergraduate Research [25]

    Library home
    Send Feedback
    Research publications
    Unitec
    Moodle
    © Unitec Institute of Technology, Private Bag 92025, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142
     

     

    Usage

    Downloads, last 12 months
    35
     
     

    Usage Statistics

    For this itemFor the Research Bank

    Share

    About

    About Research BankResearch at UnitecContact us

    Help for authors  

    How to add researchOpen Access GuideVersions Toolkit

    Register for updates  

    LoginRegister

    Browse Research Bank  

    EverywhereAcademic study areasAuthorDateSubjectTitleType of researchSupervisorThis CollectionAuthorDateSubjectTitleType of researchSupervisor

    Library home
    Send Feedback
    Research publications
    Unitec
    Moodle
    © Unitec Institute of Technology, Private Bag 92025, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142