E-Learning in Era of COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact of Flexible Working Arrangements on Work Pressure, Work–Life Conflict and Academics’ Satisfaction

Zohra Ghali-Zinoubi,Fakher Jaoua,Amina Amari

doi:10.1177/09722629211054238

Abstract

The aim of this study is to better understand the effect of flexible working arrangements (FWAs) on three academics’ outcomes, which are work pressure, work–life conflict and satisfaction during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative approach using probability-sampling technique was performed to collect the data. A total of 132 responses were considered in this study. The sample includes academics from Middle East and North Africa region. This research used the method of partial least squares to test the research hypotheses. The findings showed that there are significant effects between flexible working-time arrangements, work pressure, work–life conflict with academics’ satisfaction. Yet, both work pressure and work–life conflict do not have moderator roles on the relationship between FWAs and academics’ satisfaction. The research results could be applied by university human resources’ managers seeking to introduce flexible schedules in the workplace in the context of uncertainty. The study makes a novel contribution to the effect of flexible schedules on the attitude of academics during a health crisis (COVID-19).

Highlights

Nowadays, there is a growing number of workplaces, which adopt flexible working arrangements (FWAs) as the demand for employee-oriented and individualized work arrangements continues to increase (Amritha et al, 2017; Al-Kasasbeh, 2016; Uglanova & Dettmers, 2017; Wheatley, 2016)
This study investigates the influence of flexible working arrangements on work pressure, work–life conflict (WLC) and academic satisfaction
Flexible working-time arrangements seemed an influential means of disturbing the balance between work and other life interests, especially in a COVID-19 context where it is difficult to look for alternative solutions

Summary

Introduction

There is a growing number of workplaces, which adopt flexible working arrangements (FWAs) as the demand for employee-oriented and individualized work arrangements continues to increase (Amritha et al, 2017; Al-Kasasbeh, 2016; Uglanova & Dettmers, 2017; Wheatley, 2016). Organizations profit from flexible work schedules through coping with variations in demand, minimizing expenses and becoming more attractive to potential employees (Bohle, 2016). Employees prefer this approach as it is sensitive to their changing personal needs and circumstances (Goudswaard et al, 2013; Inayat & Khan, 2021). During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the FWAs become critical in distance education in order to overcome several challenges, which aimed to complete the programs on time and prepare for final exams (Kohnke & Moorhouse, 2021). The sudden passage to e-teaching imposed by the last circumstances may affect the wellbeing and the productivity of many academics who have to manage their work and home requirements at the same time (Kohnke & Moorhouse, 2021). The fact that those academics are not well familiarized with new techniques of e-teaching, and the stress related to the confinement may be influential on academic mental health

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Methods

Conclusion