Formal Work-Life Balance Practices in College and University Athletic Training Settings

An abstract of the study by Eberman expanding on previous investigations regarding formal organizational work-life balance (WLB) practices in college and university athletic training settings. Results show that although a majority of respondents (n = 514, 67.5%) indicated they completed a formal orientation with human resources, many (n = 165, 21.7%) indicated they never received any formal orientation at their place of employment. Those without any formal orientation were significantly less confident (p = 0.010, mean difference = -0.25 pts) and less satisfied (p < 0.001, mean difference = -0.35pts) with formal policies available to them, as compared to those with formal human resource orientation. When attempting to utilize formal workplace policies, those that were most commonly utilized include healthcare insurance (n = 546, 71.7%), CEU (n = 559, 73.4%) and NATA membership (n = 570, 74.8%) reimbursement. Fewer attempts were made to use sick leave (n = 216, 28.3%), paid time off (n = 235, 30.8%), or holiday pay (n = 158, 20.7%). Only 55 (7.2%) respondents indicated they utilized maternity or parental leave, while 252 (33.1%) of them are parents. Requests to utilize formal policies were overall met with support and encouragement (n = 396, 52.0%) and respondents indicated they would feel comfortable requesting to use WLB policies again (388, 50.9%).