Women’s and men’s interest in alternative career options: a slow advancement way to the top?

Examines interest in career options allowing greater flexibility but slower career advancement among women and men employed in a single large professional services firm. Reports on data which were collected by questionnaires completed anonymously. Women expressed significantly greater interest in such career options than did men. Women and men expressing greater interest in such options described the firm in more negative ways and reported both less job satisfaction and greater intention to quit. Women and men who were married, and who had children, were more interested in alternative career options. In addition, women who spent more time commuting to work, and women whose spouses worked more hours than they did, were also more interested in them. Men whose spouses were employed outside the home for pay also expressed greater interest in them as well. It seems that organizations might increase satisfaction and reduce turnover of some employees by providing such alternatives.