Family‐friendly Backlash–fact or Fiction? The Case of Organizations On‐site Child Care Centers

Employer offerings of on‐site child care benefits have grown tremendously in the past few decades; both beneficial and detrimental effects on worker attitudes and behaviors have been noted. Some research suggests that offering on‐site child care benefits can cause resentment among childless workers and/or workers with children who do not use the center. In a field sample of 271 employees, current and past use of the on‐site child care center, as well as anticipated future use of the on‐site child care center, were related to more positive proximal reactions such as attitudes closely related to the on‐site child care center, but not to more general attitudes or behaviors. Results indicate that any “family‐friendly backlash” may be limited to proximal reactions. These findings are discussed in light of organizational justice theories.