In this paper we update Greenhaus and Beutell’s (1985) typology for the episodic approach to WFC research. We describe more precisely how employees psychologically process WFCs, propose unprecedented predictions about successful coping/resolution responses by episode subtype, and guide practitioners toward better assessment and intervention to mitigate WFC. Our model synthesizes five types of WFC episodes based on the nature of discrete incompatibilities: (i) schedule conflicts, (ii) cognitive interruptions, (iii) high-activation affect spillover, (iv) low-activation affect spillover, and (v) behavior-based conflict – each with anticipated and reactive subtypes. We propose a sixth episode type that involves (a) first realizing or (b) recalling a serious, stable structural discrepancy between WF roles. Through integrating episodic WFC process theory with incompatibility types, we richly describe different prototype WFC experiences, while integrating a reconceptualized WFC level with the burgeoning episodic approach to WFC. Finally, we aid practice by offering managers guidance in assessing the kind(s) of WFC episodes that their employees actually experience and struggle with, in order to better guide and customize helpful management support and policymaking.
