University of Twente Student Theses
Work-life balance policies in STEM job vacancy text
Roorda, E (2018) Work-life balance policies in STEM job vacancy text.
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| Abstract: | Theory – In this research the term STEM is defined as Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics. There is an underrepresentation of women in the STEM related work fields. In the literature, authors have different opinions on the explanation of gender diversity. This research focused on the role of work-life balance policies in this issue. Work-life balance (WLB) in this research is defined as the balance between the quality of working life and the quality of life. WLB policies could contribute to a better balance between work and life. Three of the five elements of WLB policies has been used as basis for the analysis in this study. These three elements are: child and dependent-care benefits, flexible working conditions and leave options. Methods - An explorative qualitative research has been conducted. Vacancies are used as data. In total 262 vacancies were collected as data input for the analysis. These vacancies came from four different vacancy sites and the vacancies were selected at random. ATLAS.ti was used to analyze the data with the content analysis technique. Codes and sub-codes were used during this process. Findings – We found a poor integration of work-life balance policies in the analyzed vacancies. In most of the vacancies the terms of employment were described too general or in some cases not described at all. However, we also noticed that some vacancy sites used attention rules for gender management. Discussion – The results concerning WLB policies in vacancy texts are disappointing. However, we found that our findings support research which looks to gender wording in text of job advertisements. Companies who wants to diversify their job candidates pool need to carefully re-consider the text they write in their vacancy texts. Conclusion – Writing the right vacancy text could play an important role in reducing gender inequality in STEM related work fields, because writing the right vacancy text could attract more women to apply to the job. Although companies may not be aware of this at all, even the use of words in a vacancy text could play a role. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/75666 |
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