More control, less conflict?: Job demand-control, gender and work-family conflict

The connection between working hours and work-to-family conflict has been established in a number of studies. However, it seems what is important is not only the quantity of work but also its quality, as captured by the job demand-control model. Survey data from 800 Swedish employees show that job demands spill over negatively into family life, while job control reduces work-to-family conflict. Interestingly, women in jobs with high demands and high control-regarded as the prototype for modern, flexible work life - do not experience more work-to-family conflict than men, even when working the same hours.