A Descriptive Study of Work-life Integration on Full-time Employees Implementing Flexible Working Arrangements

Abstract

Flexibility in the workplace is one of the big changes we have seen in the post-pandemic world of work. Unfortunately, this new system is still poorly understood. As suggested by the spillover theory, one of the consequences is that the boundary between work and personal life will be a blur. Hence, the exploration of this issue is essential to be explored to help organisations to implement favourable policies accordingly. The aim of this study is to explore work-life integration (WLI) on full time employees implementing flexible working arrangement (FWA). This study utilised a quantitative approach, in which an online questionnaire using the Work-Life Boundary Enactment Scale was sent to 122 full-time employees, aged 21-50 years old, who are actively implementing FWA. Work-life integration levels were evaluated by age groups, genders, length of FWA implantation, work from office frequency. Among 122 respondents, 109 were eligible for data processing. Overall, the result indicated that the level of WLI for full-time employees implementing FWA was average (M=4.14). Though it is worth noting that the work-to-life segmentation (M=4.55) is higher than life-to-work (M= 3.73). Furthermore, we found that for work-to-life segmentation was higher for Gen Y, employees who have been implementing FWA for > 1 year, and who go into work for <1 day, 2 days, 4 days per week. On the other hand, the significant findings we found in the other segmentation was that Gen X and employees who had WFO frequency for 1 day/week had low Life to Work levels. These results are hoped to give organisations a better understanding on employee’s WLI to more effectively implement FWA.