What does flexible work for men really mean?: a qualitative content analysis of key stakeholder accounts

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article explores definitions and practice of flexible work and is part of a larger project about men’s flexible work. Flexible work is prevalent in workplace research, but evidence is lacking regarding how flexible work for men is interpreted and applied in practice. Gendered patterns of work and care more often position men in paid employment and less often in care and domestic responsibilities. Men’s use of flexible work could assist in balancing paid employment with unpaid domestic and care tasks. Qualitative content analysis (QCA) was undertaken to summarise participants’ descriptions of two key aspects of flexible work – forms of flexible work, and the reasons for flexible work. QCA was applied to 30 interviews about men’s flexible work with organisational leaders (n = 12, 3 women and 9 men) and men who use flexible work arrangements (n = 18). Participants typically discussed flexible work in their white-collar employment situations, most often in the form of part-time work and for the reason of caring for children. Participants’ descriptions of flexible work differed from how flexible work is commonly defined in policy and legislation, demonstrating that men use flexible work in ways not described in policy or legislation.