Content uploaded by Daniel C Funk
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Daniel C Funk on Sep 02, 2020
Content may be subject to copyright.
Original Article
Examining Work Experiences
Among Collegiate
Recreation Employees
Colin Lopez
1
, Elizabeth A. Taylor
1
, Gareth J. Jones
1
, Matt R. Huml
2
,
and Daniel Funk
1
Abstract
Research on the experiences of employees has been plentiful over the last decade; however, work
examining the experiences of collegiate recreation employees is limited. In order to enhance employee
well-being, it is important that management understands the experiences of their employees and can
invest in job supports that best suit the needs of their employees. Therefore, this research study
examined the impact of work and family conflict, workaholism, work engagement, burnout, and coping
on employees within the industry of collegiate recreation. In this study, 2,474 National Intramural and
Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) professional and student members were sent a survey in which
621 participated and 522 were analyzed. Results indicate employees with young children and those in
early career positions may experience significant work–family conflict/family–work conflict and burnout.
Keywords
Burnout, work–family balance, work engagement, workaholism, coping
Although research on the experiences of campus
recreation participants has been plentiful (Buz-
zelli, 2017; Martin et al., 2019; Stankowski
et al., 2017), work examining the experiences
of campus recreation employees has been scarce.
Previous research suggests that engaged and sat-
isfied employees are the foundation for organiza-
tional success (Cooper & Leiter, 2017; Slemp
et al., 2015). Therefore, it is increasingly impor-
tant for management to examine well-being and
invest in job supports that best suit the needs of
their employees (Guest, 2017). Campus recrea-
tion employees face tremendous pressure within
the workplace to increase participation, increase
program efficiency and productivity, manage
recreation facilities, and monitor professional
and student staff members (Zhang et al., 2004).
This may create a culture similar to other fields of
sport and recreation management (e.g., intercol-
legiate sport, professional sport) that negatively
1
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
2
University of Cincinnati, OH, USA
Corresponding Author:
Colin Lopez, MA, Temple University, Speakman Hall, 1810N., 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA.
Email: colin.lopez@temple.edu
Recreational Sports Journal
2020, Vol. 44(1) 15-23
ªThe Author(s) 2020
Article reuse guidelines:
sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/1558866120927325
journals.sagepub.com/home/rsj
It will guide you to my personal webpage, where you can
request to have the article sent to you automatically. It is
as easy as downloading the file, with the convenience of
having it delivered straight to your email inbox without
violating the publisher’s copyright.
Your email is not saved, stored, or used for any reason
other than sending you the requested article.
If you have questions, comments, or feedback feel free to
connect:
dfunk@temple.edu
@DanielCFunk
http://www.danielfunk.com/published-work/
Thank you for your interest in my research.
To obtain a full paper version of this article, please
click on the link below.