So often, we believe that the home life of an employee is not impacted by what goes on at work.  Long hours certainly have an effect, but does the nature of a person’s job influence how they engage with their families?  Organizational psychologist, Adam Grant, seems to think so.  In his article, “Can your job make you a more controlling parent?” Adam outlines the findings of Melvin Kohn & Carmi Schooler who conducted interviews among thousands of workers.  Those with jobs having a very high routine were more likely to require complete obedience from their children.  They also found there is a correlation between having little freedom or control and lower levels of performance and motivation.  The likelihood of heart disease, burnout and high levels of stress rise considerably when people have little control over their situation.

The Cost of Toxic Work Environments

Kohn & Schooler also found that parents who had little control at work, exhibited huge amounts of control at home.  Harsh discipline is given out when moms and dad do not feel inspired by the work they do or feel unchallenged (Grant, 2018). Fathers insist on conformity and that rules are followed. Mothers do not take as much time to hug to their kids, encourage participate or read to them.  When control is taken away from those at work, mom and dad become more controlling. Conformity and compliance are demanded. However, children become even more rebellious.    

The Solution

Adam Grant, in his article published in Salon, shares his perspective on the link between work environments and home life.  He writes that giving freedom while on the job to employees is a “moral responsibility.”  The level of freedom impacts an employee on several levels.. Adam encourages us to refrain from micromanaging and put into place systems that are more skill based than rule based.   Autonomy incentivizes employees.  Having freedom over their own schedule encourages healthier and more positive behaviors.  When being able to direct themselves at work, parents in the workforce tend to be more encouraging and have an ability to adapt to the needs of their children.

Grant, Adam. “Can Your Job Make You a More Controlling Parent?” Salon, 15 July 2018, https://www.salon.com/2018/07/15/can-your-job-make-you-a-more-controlling-parent/.