New working in the generation Y: Are they attracted to it and what do they expect from the increasing overlap between work and family roles

Abstract

This scenario study was designed to gain more insight in the anticipated effects of new working (NW) on work-family role conflict and facilitation. Moreover the opinion of generation Y students on NW was examined. Results (N =86) did not support the main hypothesis that generation Y students prefer NW over a traditional work place (TW). Other outcomes were that of the four expected types of role facilitation (energy-based, time-based, behavioral, and psychological work-family facilitation) NW only lead to a significantly higher time-based facilitation. Other outcomes were that of the four anticipated types of role conflict (strain-based, time-based, behavioral, and psychological work-family conflict) NW lead to less psychological conflict. However NW also leads, contrary to the predicted decrease, to more behavioral role conflict. Lastly, none of the anticipated moderator effects for gender and intelligence were found.