Caregiving and Employment: The Impact of Workplace Characteristics on Role Strain

This study examines job classification and other workplace characteristics as potential mediators of role strain among university employees with adult care responsibilities. After controlling for background caregiver characteristics and the intensity of caregiving demands, it was found that job classification, hours worked, work demands, workplace support, and job flexibility contributed significantly to role strain. Caregivers in staff positions provided higher levels of caregiving assistance and experienced less flexibility, control, and support at the workplace than did academics and administrators. Staff employees also were significantly more likely than academics and administrators to endorse a variety of workplace policies and programs as helpful in meeting their adult care responsibilities. These findings have implications for the development of workplace policies and procedures that are responsive to the unique needs of diverse employee groups.