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‘I might be a bit of a front runner’: An analysis of men's uptake of flexible work arrangements and masculine identity

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  • Ashlee Borgkvist
  • Vivienne Moore
  • Jaklin Eliott
  • Shona Crabb

Abstract

In most western countries, men's use of flexible work arrangements (FWA) is low. Intersections of gender and organizational culture are likely to contribute to this circumstance but have received little attention. This research aims to investigate men's experiences of FWA use and non‐use to understand contextual factors influencing men's decisions and how men construct their identities in relation to work, parenting and FWA. Based on semi‐structured interviews with 15 men, discourse analysis identified that workplace culture and the ideal worker norm strongly influence men's decision making regarding FWA use, and feature in identity construction. Most men adhered to traditional constructions of masculinity in their talk, even when utilizing FWA which was constructed as an individual choice and a privilege. Some men constructed themselves as ‘ground‐breakers’ but still used traditionally masculine attributes to achieve this. Overall, the results highlighted a need to encourage societal and organizational support for men's FWA use.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashlee Borgkvist & Vivienne Moore & Jaklin Eliott & Shona Crabb, 2018. "‘I might be a bit of a front runner’: An analysis of men's uptake of flexible work arrangements and masculine identity," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(6), pages 703-717, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:25:y:2018:i:6:p:703-717
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12240
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kim Toffoletti & Karen Starr, 2016. "Women Academics and Work–Life Balance: Gendered Discourses of Work and Care," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(5), pages 489-504, September.
    2. Berit Brandth & Elin Kvande, 2016. "Fathers and flexible parental leave," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 30(2), pages 275-290, April.
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    1. Julia Gruson‐Wood & Carla Rice & Jess Haines & Gwen E. Chapman, 2022. "The emotional toll of postfeminist fatherhood," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(1), pages 256-272, January.
    2. Ashlee Borgkvist & Vivienne Moore & Shona Crabb & Jaklin Eliott, 2021. "Critical considerations of workplace flexibility “for all” and gendered outcomes: Men being flexible about their flexibility," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(6), pages 2076-2090, November.
    3. Maria Bastida & Alberto Vaquero García & Luisa Helena Pinto & Ana Olveira Blanco, 2022. "Motivational drivers to choose worker cooperatives as an entrepreneurial alternative: evidence from Spain," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 58(3), pages 1609-1626, March.
    4. Martina Dickson & James Dickson, 2021. "“Story time is my duty”: Expatriate academic fathers' experiences of balancing their work and home lives," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(6), pages 2235-2251, November.
    5. Esmée Hanna & Brendan Gough, 2020. "The impact of infertility on men's work and finances: Findings from a qualitative questionnaire study," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(4), pages 581-591, July.
    6. Daile Lynn Rung, 2023. "COVID-19 and Policy-Induced Inequalities: Exploring How Social and Economic Exclusions Impact ‘Temporary’ Migrant Men’s Health and Wellbeing in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-15, June.

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