Discuss the concept of role overload. What workplace supports are available to reduce role overload?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The majority of women with children are in the work force, most in dual-earner marriages or cohabiting relationships. More women than men report moderate to high levels of stress in trying to meet both work and family responsibilities. Role overload is the conflict between the demands of work and family responsibilities. It is linked to increased psychological stress, physical health problems, poorer marital relations, less effective parenting, child behavior problems, and poorer job performance. Role overload is magnified for women in low-status work roles with rigid schedules and little autonomy. Couples in prestigious careers have more control over both work and family domains. Most dual-earner couples cope with role overload by scaling back at home or restructuring family roles, with women doing more of this than men. They seldom adjust work roles to meet family needs. Workplace supports can greatly reduce role overload, yielding substantial payoffs for employers. For example, workplaces can offer time-flexible policies, such as time off to care for a sick child, choice in start and stop times, and opportunities to work from home.