Acting and Reacting: Work/Life Accommodation and Blue-Collar Workers. (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bochantin, Jaime E.; Cowan, Renee L.
• Is Part Of: International journal of business communication. Volume 53:Number 3(2016:Jul.)
• Page Start: 306
• Page End: 325
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: work/life accommodations -- blue-collar employees -- strategies -- qualitative; Business communication -- Periodicals; 658.45
• DOI: 10.1177/2329488414525457
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2329-4884

Abstract

The authors examined blue-collar employees' experiences with work/life. More specifically, the strategies used by skilled and unskilled employees when making work/life accommodation requests are uncovered and detailed. Using qualitative methods, the authors found that blue-collar employees use both proactive (circumvention, relating, factual appeals, and honesty) and reactive (ultimatums and other-focused appeals) strategies when seeking work/life accommodations. These strategies are discussed as well as practical and theoretical implications.