Crossover of Work–Family Experiences from Supervisors to Subordinates: A Position Paper

Work–family experiences, such as work–family conflict and work–family enrichment, not only spill over from one role domain to another but also cross over from one role occupant (e.g., a partner in a dual-career couple or a supervisor in a work setting) to the other member in a dyad (e.g., the other partner in a dual-career couple or a subordinate in a work setting). Review of the literature suggests that studies using crossover models in work–family experiences, especially in work–family enrichment, are limited. Rarely studies have explored the processes through which the crossover takes place. Moreover, not many studies have considered supervisor–subordinate dyads as units of analysis in work–family literature. With this backdrop, the present article aims to put forth a few propositions to examine the crossover of work–family experiences from a supervisor to his/her subordinates. It posits that a supervisor’s work– family experiences may influence the perception of family supportive work-environment and the perceived control over work schedule, which in turn may influence his/her subordinate’s work–family experiences and the latter’s subsequent performance. This article also explores the moderating roles of empathy and leader–member exchange (LMX) quality in the crossover of work–family experiences from supervisors to subordinates. A conceptual framework is proposed for further empirical validation. Research and applied implications of the conceptual model are also discussed.