Work schedules and work–family conflict among dual earners in Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom

Many European families are affected by the 24/7 economy, but relatively little
is known about how working parents experience nonstandard hours. The
aim of this study was to analyze the possible associations of dual earners’
work schedules and other work-related factors with their experience of
time- and strain-based work–family conflict. These phenomena were
examined among dual earners living in Finland, the Netherlands, and the
United Kingdom, countries that differ in working time practices and policies.
Multigroup structural equation modeling was used to analyze cross-cultural
data on dual earners with children aged 0 to 12 years (N = 1,000). The results
showed that working nonstandard schedules was associated with increased
time-based work–family conflict, but only among Finnish and British parents.
Poorer financial situation, working longer hours, more time spent working
at very high speed, and lower work satisfaction were associated with both
types of work–family conflict in all countries.