By: Margo Hilbrecht, Donna Lero

The purpose of this study is two-fold: first, to develop a better understanding of the effect of self-employment on time use and quality of life for parents with children living at home; and second, to determine ways in which family responsibilities, perceptions of flexibility, work-life fit and anticipated career paths contribute to parents 'choosing' self-employment over other types of work.

This study is using a two-stage approach. For the first stage, Statistics Canada's General Social Survey will be used to assess employed parents' time use and perceptions of quality of life, including stress, health, time pressure, and satisfaction with their job, use of time, and life overall. For the second stage, personal interviews are being conducted with self-employed mothers and fathers to discuss key issues related to study objectives such as perceptions of flexibility, work-life fit, their reasons for ‘choosing’ self-employment, and the extent to which preconceived notions of self-employment match their daily experiences. Participants are also asked to describe a typical workday to better understand how their construction of daily routines compares to time use patterns identified in the General Social Survey.

When the research has been completed, a brief summary of results and tip sheet will be posted on the Centre for Families, Work and Well-Being website. This will provide information to participants and other self-employed parents about common issues and concerns related to combining self-employment with family life, and offer suggestions for coping strategies given by others with similar circumstances.

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An opportunity to participate: We are currently recruiting participants for this study. If you have been self-employed for a year or more, have at least one child  at home younger than 19 years old, and are interested in sharing your experiences about self-employment, family life, and the impact of this employment choice on your life, please contact Margo Hilbrecht for further information (mhilbrec@uoguelph.ca, 519-824-4120, ext. 56367).