Fathers’ Experiences of Juggling Work and Family Life in Abu Dhabi Workplaces

Abstract

In academic literature, fathers often cite barriers related to their employment, which may halt or negatively influence their level of involvement with their children. This is sometimes reported in relation to practices and policies around leave, such as for new-born children or child illness, and flexibility in leaving the workplace to attend key events in children’s lives. Research has also shown that fathers receiving validation of their paternal status in the workplace is an important factor for fathers’ emotional well-being, work life balance, and self-efficacy. In this study, we look at the needs and priorities of fathers working in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi. We used in-depth one-on-one interviews with employed fathers (n = 50) in order to create a detailed picture of their lived experiences, and with human resources personnel (n = 3) to understand if/how fathers are supported in the workplace. We discuss the implications of these experiences and present fathers’ suggestions for employers and workplaces to provide further support to nurture working conditions in which a work–life balance and employee well-being are more likely to be achieved.

Keywords

• flexible work
• workplace culture
• well-being
• family friendly
• gendered roles
• paternal