ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the work-life experiences of Australian civil engineers. It explores the level of family supportive policies (FSPs) available, predictors of an organisational culture supportive of employee work-family balance and the effect of work-family culture on work-family conflict. The chapter considers some gender differences as women are in the minority in this profession, and women still bear a greater burden of family responsibilities. In project-based industries such as construction and civil engineering, making use of the fluctuations in workload by building in recovery opportunities can improve work-life balance. Many features of the civil engineering profession and the construction sector impact negatively on family lives, including long work hours, work inflexibility, high job demands, job insecurity and frequent relocation for work. The chapter explores the predictors of an organisational culture supportive of work-family balance, as well as the influence of that culture on work-family conflict.
