THE EFFECTS OF GENDER AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE ON ATTRIBUTIONS FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE, PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT, AND ALLOCATION OF ORGANIZATIONAL REWARDS

The present study examined the effects of gender and type of leave of absence on attributions for high performance, perceptions of organizat ional commitment, and allocation of organizational rewards. Results of the study, utilizing a predominately white student sample with a mean age of 29 years, indicated that there were no negative effects in ter ms of perceived organizational commitment or allocation of organizatio nal rewards associated with a leave of absence (medical or parental) o f short duration (three months) when taken by a high performing male o r female. Causal attributions for performance and perceived level of o rganizational commitment were, however, related to recommendations of reward allocations. Implications of findings and future research are p resented.