Table 7 Final template (N = 13): limited version (only main theme 1 is presented).

From: Unravelling motives and time use of additional leave in a flexible benefits plan: a mixed-methods case study in Belgium

1. FBP choice for ALDs

 1.1 ALDs Drivers

  1.1.1 FBP

   1.1.1.1 Convenience (after exclusion of other options)

   1.1.1.2 Financially advantageous

  1.1.2 Push factors

   1.1.2.1 Long working hours

   1.1.2.2 Work intensity

  1.1.3 Pull factors

   1.1.3.1 General desire (undefined) for more leisure time

   1.1.3.2 Social

    1.1.3.2.1 Family

    1.1.3.2.2 Flexibility in helping friends and family

    1.1.3.2.3 Partner

     1.1.3.2.3.1 Alignment in non-working time

     1.1.3.2.3.2 More quality time

    1.1.3.3 Individual

     1.1.3.3.1 Rest & relaxation

    1.1.3.4 Leisure activities

     1.1.3.4.1 Entertainment and culture

     1.1.3.4.2 Hobbies

     1.1.3.4.3 Travel

      1.1.3.4.3.1 Travel at unrushed pace

      1.1.3.4.3.2 Travel further distances

     1.1.3.5 Informal work

      1.1.3.5.1 Care responsibilities

       1.1.3.5.1.1 Children

       1.1.3.5.1.2 Grandchildren

       1.1.3.5.1.3 Parents (in law)

       1.1.3.5.1.4 Partner

      1.1.3.5.2 Household responsibilities

      1.1.3.5.3 Personal administrative work

  1.1.4 Personal aspects

   1.1.4.1 Insufficient SLDs

      1.1.4.1.1 Limited amount of SLDs due to job status change

      1.1.4.1.2 Reference leave days previous employer

     1.1.4.2 Personal beliefs regarding income-leisure trade-off (way of living)

      1.1.4.2.1 Prioritisation of “life” in work–life balance

      1.1.4.2.2 Take life easy

      1.1.4.2.3 Transience of life

      1.1.4.2.4 Travel-life preference

      1.1.4.2.5 Value of leisure time

      1.1.4.3 Work ethics

  1.1.5 Context factors

   1.1.5.1 Perceived norms

   1.1.5.2 Amount of SLDs largely spent on specific tasks for the main job

 1.2 ALDs barriers

  1.2.1 FBP

   1.2.1.1 Financial constraints

   1.2.1.2 Prioritisation of alternative choices

  1.2.2 Occupational demands

   1.2.2.1 Inability to use up previous ALDs or other leave days given workload

 1.2.3 Personal aspects

  1.2.3.1 Like doing job

   1.2.3.2 Sufficient SLDs

   1.2.3.3 Work ethics

    1.2.3.3.1 Conscientiousness

    1.2.3.3.2 Ensure that the team is not overloaded

 1.3 Flexibility

    1.3.1 ALDs providing flexibility

    1.3.2 Organisational characteristics requiring flexibility

     1.3.2.1 Work tasks and fulfilment measured in output indicators rather than in working hours

     1.3.2.1.1 No fixed working hours

     1.3.2.1.2 No impact of ALDs on workload

     1.3.2.1.3 No impact of PTW (80%) choice on workload

 1.3.2.2 Workload variability over time

 1.4 Experience FBP & ALDs

    1.4.1 Appreciation for employee participation - freedom of choice

    1.4.2 Imbalance desired vs. actual time use of leave days

    1.4.3 Importance choice ALDs

     1.4.3.1 Luxury of additional vacation

     1.4.3.2 Value ALDs outweighs its price

  1. “FBP” refers to flexible benefits plan, “SLDs” refers to standard leave days, “ALDs” refers to additional leave days (chosen within the FBP), and “PTW” refers to part-time work.
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