The Impact of Cross-Domain Attention Residue and Buffing Effect of a Family Supportive Supervisor

Research on attention residue, or thoughts about one task persisting while performing another task, has predominantly focused on switching from one work task to another work task and its effect on work performance. We extend this literature by focusing on cross-domain attention residue, switching between work and family tasks while working from home, and examine the impact of cross-domain attention residue on work-family conflict and work and family performance. In addition, we examine whether management practices, specifically family supportive supervisor behaviors, may buffer the negative effects of cross-domain attention residue on work-family conflict and work and family performance. In a sample of 95 working from home matched participant-partner pairs, we tested and found support for our hypotheses. Our study highlights the need to examine the unique challenges that work from home employees face as they juggle work and family tasks, and the role that managers may play in buffering the negative effects of those challenges.