Balance Satisfaction Research Articles

RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF TELEWORK ON WORK-LIFE BALANCE IN JAPANESE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

To increase workers' own Work-life Balance (WLB) satisfaction under telework in Japan, a high level of interest in the workplace or monitoring, a reduced telework workload, autonomy in the performance of duties, and interdependence of duties are effective. High interest from the workplace or monitoring and reduced telework workload also increases the level of satisfaction with the company's WLB measures. Telework in Japanese companies presents different challenges from job description-based job performance systems, and we need to explore effective ways of using telework and improving its efficiency in Japanese-style Human Resources Management (HRM) in the future.

Gender and work-life balance: Results of a national survey of pediatric hospitalists.

This was a cross-sectional survey study of 1096 pediatric hospitalists. Responses were collected via an online survey platform and summarized using descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions and measures of central tendency. A multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associated variables and work-life balance satisfaction. We analyzed free responses on parental leave to provide nuance to quantitative survey data. Five hundred and sixty-five respondents (52% response rate) completed the survey with 71% women. 343 (62%) prioritize work-life balance in career decision-making. Women report taking on more household responsibilities than their partners (41.4% vs. 8.4%; p < .001) including a larger percentage of caregiving and domestic tasks. Female gender and performing <50% caregiving were associated with decreased work-life balance satisfaction; performing <50% domestic tasks increased satisfaction. Median parental leaves were 4 weeks, with men taking significantly shorter leaves (3.5 vs. 6 weeks; p < .001) and more "paid back" time off. Work-life balance is an important factor in career decisions for men and women. Women perceive carrying a larger load at home. Qualitative results suggest that parental leave may be inadequate in length and salary support for men and women. This study adds insights into work-life integration in PHM.

Did Leadership Become More Important During COVID-19? A Longitudinal Analysis of the Impact of Servant Leadership on Performance and Work-Life Balance Satisfaction in a Public Organization

In this article we raise the question whether servant leadership became more important for performance and work-life balance satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two alternative hypotheses are formulated stating that on the one hand the impact of servant leadership may have increased during COVID-19 as servant leadership can help in dealing with a crisis. On the other hand, it may have become more difficult to express leadership behaviors when leaders and employees are physically distanced from one another. A longitudinal approach was taken to examine the role of servant leadership in relation to the performance and work-life balance satisfaction, comparing the situation before and during the pandemic. Panel data was collected in a Dutch government organization ( N = 293). Results indicate that there was a decrease in the amount of servant leadership experienced by employees, however its impact remained in times where leaders and employees were confined to their homes.

Predicting working sole Indian mothers' satisfaction towards work–family balance integrating the Kano model and weighted average method

PurposeThe main impetus of the current paper is to identify and prioritize the work–family balance (WFB) satisfaction attributes specifically for working sole mothers' by deploying the Kano technique and weighted average method.Design/methodology/approachA multi-stage methodology has been used in the present analysis. Initially, the Kano method has been utilized to categorize the WFB satisfaction attributes using a three-dimensional WFB satisfaction scale. Afterward, the satisfaction coefficient technique was employed on Kano outcomes to get the WFB satisfaction and dissatisfaction index. Subsequently, the weighted average method was employed to prioritize the WFB satisfaction attributes.FindingsFindings uncovered the significance of a non-linear association between WFB attributes and employed sole mothers' WFB satisfaction. The findings revealed that one-dimensional and must-be-based WFB satisfaction attributes are responsible for sole mothers' WFB satisfaction and employing organizations must not overlook them. Additionally, the results of weighted average method-based prioritization can help organizations to focus on particular WFB satisfaction criteria according to their priority level.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are useful for WFB policy-makers and managers to formulate a suitable WFB strategy specifically for single mothers.Social implicationsResults provide a path for employers to minimize the work–family role conflict and societal dissatisfaction that helps sole mothers to attain the desired WFB.Originality/valueThis study first employed a novel approach that incorporates the Kano application with the weighted average method in order to prioritize the WFB satisfaction attributes for lone mothers.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-02-2023-0074

A Review of Women Employees' Work-Life Balance Satisfaction with Reference to AP State Higher Academic Institutions

Purpose: The primary goal of this study is to assess how satisfied women employees in institutes of higher learning are with their balance between work and personal life. To better understand women employees' work-life balance satisfaction, this study looked at an array of aspects, including demographics, family-related factors, and other organizational and work-related procedures. Theoretical framework: There is a wealth of empirical research available to assess the work-life balance satisfaction of female employees in academic institutions. Higher education has seen several advancements, such as the introduction of online learning systems, but more research is needed. Design/Methodology/Approach: An evaluation of the exhaustive survey of the literature that was employed in the research design. A data collection tool, such as a questionnaire, is employed, as well as a non-probability sampling technique, such as the Snow ball sampling technique. A standard questionnaire is used to collect data. The information was gathered from respondents in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Findings: In order to analyze the data, various statistical techniques such as Anova, Regression, and the Cronbach's alpha test are used. Employees' delight with their work-life balance is influenced by their age, marital status, experience, career, and family size. The income and classification level of employees have an adverse effect on their work-life balance enjoyment. Research, Practical &amp;social implication: This study evaluated the work-life balance of female employees at higher education institutions from a number of perspectives. Originality/Value: The objective of this research is to find and evaluate the impact of different viewpoints on female employees' work-life balance. A female employee's age as well as income level. Marital status, family size, designation, occupation and level of experience, job and family-related concerns, and working hours are all examined.

Multidimensional work-nonwork balance: are balanced employees productive at work and satisfied with life?

Given ever increasing work and nonwork demands, achieving work-nonwork (WNW) balance is an important priority for many employees. Scholars have only recently settled on a definition of WNW balance as multidimensional and, as such, our understanding of its antecedents and outcomes is limited. Drawing on Conservation of Resources theory, we explore how organizations can support employees to achieve WNW balance and whether ‘balanced’ employees are more productive at work and satisfied with life. In detail, we hypothesize that the positive effect of supervisor WNW support (FSS) on employees’ life satisfaction and job performance is mediated by multidimensional WNW balance. We find, across two studies with two waves each, that only the dimension of WNW balance effectiveness and not the dimension of WNW balance satisfaction mediated the relationships between FSS, life satisfaction (Study 1 and 2) and self-rated job performance (Study 1). The relationship between FSS and supervisor-rated job performance (Study 2) was not mediated by either WNW balance dimension. As such, organizations can facilitate WNW balance through FSS, while ‘balanced’ employees seem indeed happier with their life and consider themselves to be better performing at work. We discuss the unexpected finding regarding the superior role of WNW balance effectiveness over WNW balance satisfaction for our outcomes in relation to the conceptualization of WNW balance as multidimensional and delineate important theoretical and practical implications.

Effects of gender on work-life balance satisfaction among trauma surgeons: A survey study

BackgroundPhysician burnout rates are rising. Because dissatisfaction with work-life balance (WLB) is associated with burnout, improving this balance is a key solution. This cross-sectional survey study aims to evaluate factors associated with WLB in trauma surgeons, stratified by gender. MethodsThis is a secondary analysis, studying gender, of a AAST survey evaluating predictors of WLB in trauma surgeons. Survey topics include demographics, clinical practice, family, lifestyle, and emotional support. Subgroups were analyzed independently; primary outcome was WLB satisfaction. Results292 AAST members completed the survey. Responses were stratified by gender (29% females, 71% males). Independent predictors of WLB satisfaction are:Females: more awake hours at home, having a job well-suited for them, better about meeting deadlines.Males: comfortable declining new tasks, fair compensation, healthy diet, workplace emotional support. ConclusionFactors associated with WLB satisfaction in trauma surgeons are different based on gender. This information may help trauma surgeons mitigate burnout.

Work-life conflict and facilitation: Mostly indirect effectson domain-specific and work-life balance satisfaction over time.

The majority of work-life research has been anchored around work-life conflict/facilitation and balance constructs, though these constructs have largely been examined in isolation from one another. The purpose of the current study is to provide a direct replication and longitudinal extension of Grawitch et al.'s cross-sectional study exploring work-life balance satisfaction's relation to interdomain conflict and facilitation. We conducted a three-wave longitudinal study (0, 1 and 6 months) to test the causal assumptions of the original study. In addition to exploring relationships between bidirectional conflict/facilitation and work-non-work balance (WLB) satisfaction variables, the pathways by which work-life constructs influence work and non-work life satisfaction were examined. Time 1 results largely replicated those from Grawitch et al. Time 2 and Time 3 models demonstrated consistency in the relationships between satisfaction with work and non-work life and work-life balance and general stability across time points. Work-life conflict and life-work facilitation demonstrated the strongest indirect effects from Time 1 to Time 3 satisfaction constructs. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in light of these findings.

Work–Family Balance Satisfaction of Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Postdoctoral Scholars in the STEM Fields

Postdoctoral scholars encounter challenges as they navigate the gap between graduate school and employment positions, one of which includes the challenge of work–family conflict and balance. We used structural equation modeling to test goal endorsement as a possible cultural moderator of the indirect relationship between work demand and work–family conflict. Results revealed that the indirect effect between work demand and work-family conflict was significant at low, but not high, levels of communal goal endorsement. In turn, work–family conflict was found to be a significant negative predictor of work–family balance satisfaction. Results suggest that minoritized postdoctoral scholars’ high value of communion serves as a protective factor in reducing the deleterious effects of challenging work environments on work–family conflict and satisfaction with work–family balance. Empirical and practical implications of the findings are presented.

Unpacking daily changes in role overload and work–family balance satisfaction: A latent growth modeling approach

AbstractThis study probes the temporal nature of work–family balance satisfaction (WFBS). Drawing on distributed connectionist models and conservation of resources (COR) theory, we hypothesize that changes in work and family overload are positively associated with changes in WFBS, and these relationships are mediated by changes in work and family fatigue, respectively. Additionally, we propose that work and family crafting behaviors (decreasing hindering work and family demands) are helpful in building resources that mitigate the relationships above. We tested these hypotheses by sampling 71 full‐time employees over a work week. The results identified positive relationships between changes in role overload and changes in WFBS. In addition, we found full support for the moderating role of crafting behaviors in the work domain and partial support for the family domain. Further analyses suggested that employees' work and family crafting behaviors (i.e., decreasing hindering demands) buffered the negative effects of changes in work and family overload on changes in work and family fatigue, respectively. Also, decreasing hindering work demands moderated the indirect effect of changes in work overload on changes in WFBS. We discuss theoretical and practical implications as well as future research directions.

Gender, workplace preferences and firm performance: Looking through the glass door

AbstractUsing Glassdoor data we show that women are less satisfied at work than men and that female employees care more about work‐life balance. Further analysis shows that this gender difference in workplace preference vanishes at the manager level, suggesting that women who care less about work‐life balance self‐select into career paths that ultimately lead to management positions. Exploring the performance implications, we show that family‐friendly workplaces with smaller gender gaps in work‐life balance satisfaction are associated with better firm performance. Overall, our study implies that policies that aim to narrow the gender satisfaction gap can be socially and economically desirable.

The Mediating Role of Chinese Values in the Satisfaction of Work-Life Balance among Chinese Bank Employees: A Case Study

The topic of Work-Life Balance has become a widely discussed issue in Western contexts due to the rising stress levels in both work and personal life. Only recently has the topic become popular in Asian countries, including Malaysia. While studies have explored the Work-Life Balance in the banking sector, there remains a scarcity of research examining the cultural aspect of the Work-Life Balance of Chinese ethnicity outside Mainland China. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the mediating role of Chinese Values on the relationship between antecedents of Work-Life Balance (including work involvement, work overload, work support, family involvement, family overload, and family support) and Work-Life Balance satisfaction among Chinese bank employees in Sarawak, Malaysia. A quantitative method was employed to gather data from 52 Chinese bank employees, which was then analysed using IBM SPSS version 25.0, Pearson Correlation Analysis, and the PROCESS for mediation. The results of this study demonstrate that Chinese Values play a significant mediating role in the relationship between some of the antecedents of Work-Life Balance (work involvement, work overload, work support and family support) and satisfaction with Work-Life Balance. Based on these findings, it is recommended that some cultural aspects of Chinese values, which are usually accepted by other ethnicities, be considered when developing and implementing Work-Life Balance programs in the banking sector. The study highlights the importance of considering cultural differences in the design of workplace programs to improve Work-Life Balance satisfaction among employees.

Determinants of work‐family balance satisfaction during the pandemic: Insights from Québec

The first wave of the COVID pandemic was the most challenging for employed parents, and more specifically for women. In Québec, research has shown a deterioration in the psychological health of parents in the early weeks of the pandemic. In this research, we investigate how Québec parents who remained employed during the lockdown in 2020 perceived their work-family balance in the stressful context of new earning and caregiving constraints, drawing on survey data collected in May 2020. Our approach integrates insights from psychological, managerial and sociological literatures. We find that most parents who remained employed found their work-family balance "easy" in the first months of the pandemic, but women felt less satisfied with their work-family balance than men as well as those whose employers were less understanding and supportive, and those whose workloads increased. The implications of these results are discussed in the light of previous studies on work-family intersections, to show that gender continues to matter when family members are faced with extraordinary circumstances such as the closing of childcare and schools, even in the egalitarian context of Québec, where fathers are perceived as legitimate caregivers.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN CONDITIONS OF ECONOMIC CRISIS

The purpose of the paper examines the problem of work-life balance, well-being, and intrinsic motivation of employees during economic turbulence.Methodology. Adopting a quantitative approach, this investigation analyses the data obtained from employees of governmental and private local companies. This study reviewed Hasan et al. research on managing human resources, well-being, job satisfaction, and work-life balance.Originality / value of the research. The vast majority of studies in HRM are around employee eff ectiveness. However, especially in economic instability alternative strategies such as well-being, work-life balance, and intrinsic motivation have to be investigated. Also, the Self-determination theory was chosen because it helps to understand the phenomenon by clarifying the research problem related to intrinsic motivation, social satisfaction, and psychological well-being in depth.Findings. One of the fi ndings indicates that there was no association between demographic variables and work-life balance satisfaction. The outcome of the analysis implies that obtained data is normally distributed.Nevertheless, there is lower response rate (33) could be deemed insuffi cient to ensure the data’s neutral skewness. Since the overwhelming number of respondents are female, the fi ndings of the study may be unrepresentative of the entire population. As a result, research will be carried out by gathering data.

Satisfaction, Stress, and Turnover: Comparing U.S. Intensivist Physicians Before and During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic.

A cross-sectional electronic survey. Critical care practices in the United States. U.S. physician members of the Society for Critical Care Medicine. A total of 1,148 intensivists completed online surveys administered in two waves: in 2016 (693 respondents) and in the late 2021 to early 2022 (455 respondents). They reported demographic and practice characteristics, self-perceived levels of satisfaction, stress, health, and intention to leave their current job. U.S.-based critical care physicians in 2022 report significantly lower levels of job satisfaction compared with 2016. Frequency of work stress and turnover intention also increased, whereas WLB satisfaction has remained the same. Nearly two-thirds of intensivists wish they could work fewer hours, and this discontentment is correlated with decreased satisfaction, increased stress, and increased turnover, particularly in pandemic respondents. More than 25% of physicians rated their mental health as poor or fair, and 20% rated their physical health as poor or fair; these self-ratings correlated with decreased satisfaction and increased stress and turnover intention. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has further burdened an already-strained critical care workforce. During the pandemic, job satisfaction fell, work stress became more frequent, and turnover intention increased for critical care physicians. They also have consistently low rates of WLB satisfaction. Work hours matter the most for physician satisfaction, stress, and turnover intention, and the desire to work fewer hours is negatively related to all outcomes. Many critical care physicians reported poor mental and physical health during the pandemic, which is strongly and negatively related to all outcomes. These results emphasize the importance of prioritizing the working preferences and the self-care of intensivist physicians.

Gender and Work-Life Balance During COVID-19: A Study of Public Affairs Faculty

Women have faced disproportionate negative health and economic impacts from COVID-19. This study explores gender differences in work-life balance among female and male public affairs faculty during the pandemic. Drawing on social role theory and the theory of gendered organizations, we survey faculty from the 176 NASPAA accredited schools to examine how gender, workload, institutional support, and domestic responsibilities impacted work-life balance during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results suggest that work-life balance was impacted in different ways by gender, domestic responsibilities, workload (teaching, research, and service), and institutional support policies related to the pandemic. An examination of qualitative data from faculty surveys revealed that increased demands, including homeschooling, childcare, domestic responsibilities, among other demands, lowered work life balance satisfaction. Several recommendations are made for addressing work-life imbalances and gender differences among higher education administration practitioners.

Can you have it all? Parenting in Urology and Work-Life Balance Satisfaction

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between work-life balance satisfaction for practicing urologists who have children <18 years compared to those who do not have children or have children ≥18 years. MethodsWe evaluated the association between work-life balance satisfaction based on partner status, partner employment status, child status, primary responsible party for family, total work hours per week, and total vacation weeks per year using 2018 and 2019 American Urological Association (AUA) census data with post-stratification adjustment methods. ResultsOf 663 respondents, 77 (9.0%) were female and 586 (91%) were male. Female urologists are more likely to have an employed partner (79.vs 48.9%, P <.001), more likely to have children <18 years (75.0 vs 41.7%, P <.0001), and less likely to have a partner as primary caretaker of family (26.5 vs 50.3%, P <.0001) compared to male urologists. Urologists with children <18 years reported lower work-life balance satisfaction than those without (OR 0.65, P = .035). For every 5 additional hours works per week, urologists reported lower work-life balance (OR 0.84, P <.001). However, there are no statistically significant associations between work-life balance satisfaction and gender, employment status of their partner, primary responsible party for family responsibilities, and total weeks of vacation per year. ConclusionAccording to recent AUA census data, having children <18 years is associated with lower work-life balance satisfaction. This highlights opportunities to support young parents, both male and female, in the workplace to prevent burnout and maximize well-being among urologists.

I want to break free: the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on work–life balance satisfaction

ABSTRACT The revolution in the organization of work, induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, has had, and will have, some long-lasting consequences on how jobs will be performed, affecting adult life well-being. What we know so far about the determinant of satisfaction for work–life balance may not be valid anymore considering this sudden revolution in work organization. This paper presents an empirical analysis based on a cross-sectional survey of 803 workers in October 2020. Results suggest that the profile that benefits the most from the revolution in work organization is represented by a male, married, public sector worker working remotely and not living in the southern part of Italy.

Personal Factors and Clinical Learning Environment as Predictors of Nursing Students' Readiness for Practice: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

It is essential to ensure the readiness for practice among undergraduate nursing studentssince the purpose of such education is to cultivate competent nurses who deliver high-quality and safe nursing. Astin's theory of student involvement suggests that this is affected by their personal factors and learning environment. We conducted a cross-sectional study between November 16, 2020 and December 21, 2020 which examined personal factors and aspects of the clinical learning environment among senior nursing students (n=838) enrolled across 54 nursing schools in Korea. The participants were asked to fill out a self-administered online survey, which assessed demographic characteristics, self-esteem, depression, work-life balance, clinical learning environment, anxiety during clinical practicum, and readiness for practice. Readiness for practice was measured using the Casey-Fink Readiness for practice survey. We used structural equational modeling to test our hypothetical model. The nursing students' readiness for practice was significantly affected by their self-esteem, work-life balance satisfaction, and clinical learning environment. Anxiety during clinical practicum directly influenced their readiness for practice. Increasing self-esteem and work-life balance satisfaction, and improving their clinical learning environment by providing sufficient educational and clinical support, could help facilitate the transition from nursing schools to real-world practice for nursing students.

Investigating the Impact of Occupational Technostress and Psychological Restorativeness of Natural Spaces on Work Engagement and Work-Life Balance Satisfaction.

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated lockdowns and mandatory working from home, as well as restrictions on travel and recreation. As a result, many people have had to use their home as an office and have increased their use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) for work purposes. Nature and accessing natural spaces are known to be beneficial for human health and wellbeing, as a result of their restorative properties. Access to local outdoor spaces was permitted under restrictions, and use of such spaces increased during lockdown. This survey study investigated whether the perceived restorativeness of natural spaces and exposure to technostress predicted the levels of work engagement and work-life balance satisfaction (WLBS) during the period of COVID-19 restrictions adopted in 2020. Analyses conducted on a sample of 109 people employed in the UK revealed that technostress negatively impacted WLBS, whilst perceived psychological restorativeness positively predicted work engagement. The study highlights the benefits of having access to natural spaces to improve employees' work engagement and potentially negate the negative effects of technostress, particularly during a period of intensive working from home. The results contribute to the understanding of the linkages between restorativeness and work engagement, paving the way for synergies across these research fields.