Factors Affecting Work-Life Balance of Women in Bangladesh: A Study during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Throughout history, the central role of women in society has ensured stability, progress, and long-term development. Women are the primary caretaker of children and elders in every society. In the contemporary world, women are no longer lag behind in terms of career. They are keeping themselves shoulder to shoulder with their opposite sex. In Bangladesh, a large portion of economic activities is carried out by women including household and care activities, agriculture, education, industries, banking, and service sectors. This study aims to identify the factors that affect maintaining the proper work-life balance of working women in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. To pursue this objective, a hundred and five (105) women from different professions (Teaching, Banking, Healthcare, Ready Made Garments Industries, Public and Private Corporations, Government services, and entrepreneurs) have randomly selected from Dhaka and Chattagram division, Bangladesh. Collected data have tested with the help of various statistical tools like reliability and validity checking, multiple regression analysis, ANOVA, and hypothesis testing. The analyzed data has been presented in the form of a table. The study finds out a strong impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the work-life balance of women in Bangladesh. Covid-19 has the greatest impact on job stress, job satisfaction, and productivity of women and raises a need for flexibility, workplace support, and work-life balance policy for employees. This study suggested that every organization should have a work-life balance policy which is necessary to maintain a healthy working environment for employees who will improve productivity and job satisfaction of employees.