JOB DEMANDS, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND WORK-FAMILY CONFLICT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF IMMIGRANT AND NATIVE WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES

Over the last five decades, there has been an increase in the number of immigrants coming to and settling in the United States (U.S.). Limited research has explored the job and workplace characteristics that contribute to work-family conflict among immigrant workers. To fill this gap in knowledge this study examines the relationship of job demands, social support and worker characteristics to work-family conflict among immigrant and native workers in the U.S. Using the 2002 National Study of Changing Workforce (NSCW), this exploratory study identifies the job demands, social support and socio-demographic factors related with time-based, and strain-based, work-family conflict among immigrant (n=157) and native workers (n=165). Four research questions were posited to examine the differences between the immigrant and native workers’ experiences of job demands, workplace social support, and work-family conflict; the relationship between job demands, workplace social support and time-based and strain-based work-family conflict; and the job demands, workplace social support and socio-demographic characteristics that predicted time-based, and strain-based work-family conflict. Independent sample t-tests, cross-tabulations, and stepwise multiple regressions via backward elimination method were used to address specific research questions. Findings indicate that only two job demands, work schedule and learning requirements, are significantly different between immigrant and native workers. Multivariate analysis suggests that among immigrant workers, workload pressure, total hours worked, and lack of co-worker social support are significantly associated with time-based, work-family conflict; being married, lack of supervisor social support, lack of learning requirements, increased work hours and workload pressure are associated with strain-based, work-family conflict. Among native workers childcare responsibilities, lower levels of income, a job with rotating or split shifts, high workload pressure, increased work hours, and lower learning requirements are associated with time-based work-family conflict. Being younger, having lower supervisor social support, lower learning requirements, higher workload pressure, working at rotating/split shift, and having work role ambiguity are significant predictors of strain-based, work-family conflict among native workers. Drawing on person-in-environment perspective, this study has implications for social work practice at individual, organizational, and policy levels, and also for work-life research among immigrant working populations

State Employment Protection Statutes for Victims of Domestic Violence as an Employment Matter

Evidence indicates that domestic violence has negative consequences on victims’ employment; yet employers lag in recognizing this as a workplace issue. To address the problem, some states have established several policy solutions. To understand the scope of the public sector’s response to domestic violence as a workplace issue, a content analysis of state-level employment protection policies for domestic violence victims (N=369) was conducted. Results indicate three broad policy categories: 1) policies that offer work leave for victims; 2) policies that aim to reduce employment discrimination of domestic violence victims; and 3) policies that aim to increase awareness and safety in the workplace. Sub-categories emerged within each of these three categories. Implementation of employment protection policies varies significantly across states. Implications for workplaces, practitioners and policy leaders are discussed

Wood County Project Connect: Final Report for Event Held October 15, 2014

Project Connect is an outreach and an awareness raising event based on a model endorsed by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. The event is an opportunity to inform the community about the need that exists, as well as a chance to address that need. Project Connect (PC) is designed to provide immediate goods and services to at risk individuals in one day at one location. Our report presents that descriptive data and evaluation of a PC event that occurred in October of 2014 in Wood County, Ohio

Wood County Project Connect: Final Report for Event Held October 19, 2016

Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is designed to provide immediate goods and services to homeless individuals and those nearing homelessness. PHC provides basic needs and critical services in one day at one location. Along with providing valuable and necessary services to help alleviate homelessness, an additional positive outcome for service providers is the opportunity to network with different agency members, and reinforce relationships, collaborations, and partnerships. On October 19, 2016, Wood County, Ohio held its fourth Project Connect (PC) event at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Bowling Green, Ohio. This report presents a compilation of data collected at the event, as well as recommendations for future efforts

Wood County Project Connect: Final Report for Event Held October 14, 2015

On October 14, 2015, Wood County, Ohio held its third Project Connect (PC) event at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Bowling Green, Ohio. Project Connect is designed to provide immediate goods and services to homeless individuals and those nearing homelessness. PC provides basic needs and critical services in one day at one location. Along with providing valuable and necessary services to help alleviate homelessness, an additional positive outcome for service providers is the opportunity to network with different agency members, and reinforce relationships, collaborations, and partnerships. This report presents the descriptives about the guests, providers, and volunteers at the event, as well as their feedback

Wood County Project Connect: Final Report for Event Held October 18, 2017

Wood County, Ohio Service providers and volunteers came together to serve those at risk for homelessness and under-served populations at the 5th Annual Project Connect. Data were collected from guests, volunteers, and providers to capture the characteristics and satisfaction levels of those in attendance and those involved in carrying out this expansive, one-day event. The results are presented in the report

Wood County Project Homeless Connect: Final Report for Event Held October 16, 2013

On October 16, 2013, Wood County, Ohio held their first Project Homeless Connect event at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Bowling Green, Ohio. Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is designed to provide immediate goods and services to homeless individuals and those nearing homelessness. It provides basic needs and critical services in one day at one location. It originated in San Francisco and was later adopted and revised by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) to decrease homelessness in major American cities (Knetch & Martinez, 2009). PHC was created following the premises of the former President George W. Bush Administration’s policy of compassionate conservatism and the “armies of compassion” model, which “sought to rebuild public-private relationships to address social problems and avoid increasing government spending” (Knetch & Martinez, 2009, p. 522). More than 170 cities in the United States, Canada, and Australia have adopted the PHC project. This report presents the characteristics, satisfaction levels, and expectations about the inaugural event by guests, volunteers, and providers at the event

Wood County Reentry Coalition: Needs Assessment Survey Results

The purpose of this research was to assess the services needed by offenders who are soon going to be released. As a result, we recruited all incarcerated persons in jails, prisons and community-based correctional facilities (CBCFs) in Ohio who would be returning to the Wood County area upon release (i.e., we recruited incarcerated individuals who had a Wood County, OH address as their last place of residence prior to their most recent incarceration, or were arrested in and processed through Wood County courts). We designed a survey for individuals in Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) custody containing questions related to reentry needs and challenges. Only inmates who resided in Wood County, Ohio prior to their incarceration were eligible to take the survey. The survey questions were designed to gain insight into: What are the services needed by the reentering offenders after a period of incarceration? What are the gaps in services in Wood County for reentering offenders? Does services utilization reduces recidivism among offenders? What are the gaps in offender reentry services