Career Wellbeing from a Whole-Life Perspective: Implications from Work-Nonwork Spillover and Crossover Research

Abstract

The present workforce is characterised by commitments to various life domains, which continue to change our understanding about careers and career wellbeing. Thus, the objective of the chapter is to focus on career wellbeing from a whole-life perspective, that is wellbeing encompassing various life domains, including wellbeing related to one’s career (e.g., career satisfaction) but also wellbeing in nonwork domains (e.g., family satisfaction; leisure satisfaction), or the intersection between work and nonwork (e.g., work-nonwork positive spillover). Therefore, we combine relevant research from work-nonwork literature to explain career wellbeing from a whole-life perspective. Specifically, we rely on current research on work-nonwork positive spillover (i.e., intraindividual transmission of resources and positive experiences across work and family domains) and research on crossover at the work-nonwork interface (i.e., dyadic transmission of work-family experiences between key others). Based on the theoretical models and empirical evidence discussed in this chapter, we develop avenues for future research and suggestions and guidelines for practitioners on how career wellbeing from a whole-life perspective can be fostered among employees.