The effects of organizational supports and explanations on employee perceptions of fairness with work-family programs

Changes in labor force diversity have led organizations to provide workers with family-friendly programs to help balance work and family responsibilities. Concerns regarding employees' views of these policies have prompted researchers to think more about the perceived fairness of these programs (Young, 1999). This study examined how perceptions of fairness were impacted by the type of organizational support received (human resources vs. supervisor), and explanation given (would-, could-, should-reducing) in denial decision outcomes, using work-family program situations.;A total of 211 graduate students participated in this study. Results indicated that the source of support did not impact justice perceptions. Analysis of results for explanation type were inconclusive, overall explanation type appeared to impact justice perception, however, upon further examination of each type of justice independently there was no support.