THE INFLUENCE OF FLEXIBLE WORK POLICIES ON WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62207/431p2t71Keywords:
Work Flexibility, Work Life Balance, Employee Productivity, Human Resource Management, Flexible Work PolicyAbstract
Work flexibility has become an important issue in human resource management, especially in the context of changing work dynamics due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This research aims to explore the influence of flexible work policies on work-life balance and employee productivity, as well as the challenges faced in their implementation. This study focuses on analyzing the relationship between flexible work policies, work-life balance, and employee productivity in various organizational contexts. This research uses a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach to collect and analyze data from 46 relevant peer-reviewed articles. The analysis process was carried out using coding techniques and thematic analysis to identify main patterns and themes. Findings show that flexible work policies significantly improve employee work-life balance and productivity, especially when supported by an inclusive organizational culture and strong managerial support. However, challenges such as work-family conflict and lack of technological support were also identified. This research makes an important contribution to the development of theory and practice in human resource management, by emphasizing the need for policies that are adaptive and responsive to employee needs. These findings can help organizations design more effective strategies to improve employee well-being and organizational performance.
References
Arifin , A. , Siswanto , H. , Kurniawan , V. , & Christian , M. (2023). The effects of working from home and flexible working arrangements on employee performance during the covid-19 pandemic. evaluation, 1(4), 2107-2 https://doi.org/10.24912/ijaeb.v1i4.2107-2122
Bal, P. and Lange, A. (2014). From flexibility human resource management to employee engagement and perceived job performance across the lifespan: a multisample study. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 88(1), 126-154. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12082
Chang, S., Gong, Y., Way, S., & Jia, L. (2012). Flexibility-oriented hrm systems, absorptive capacity, and market responsiveness and firm innovativeness. Journal of Management, 39(7), 1924-1951. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206312466145
Charalampous, M., Grant, C., Tramontano, C., & Michailidis, E. (2018). Systematically reviewing remote e-workers’ well-being at work: a multidimensional approach. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 28(1), 51-73. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432x.2018.1541886
Contreras, F., Baykal, E., & Abid, G. (2020). E-leadership and teleworking in times of covid-19 and beyond: what we know and where do we go. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.590271
Dilmaghani, M. (2020). There is a time and a place for work: comparative evaluation of flexible work arrangements in canada. International Journal of Manpower, 42(1), 167-192. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijm-12-2019-0555
Dobrotić, I. and Martinis, A. (2023). Inclusiveness and flexibility of work-life balance policies.. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/da463
Et.al, F. (2021). Flexible work arrangements and work-family conflict: a systematic literature review. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (Turcomat), 12(3), 2771-2781. https://doi.org/10.17762/turcomat.v12i3.1306
Ferrara, B., Pansini, M., Vincenzi, C., Buonomo, I., & Benevene, P. (2022). Investigating the role of remote working on employees’ performance and well-being: an evidence-based systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19), 12373. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912373
Fetriah, D. and Hermingsih, A. (2023). The effect of perceived organizational support, work motivation, and competence on employee performance mediated by employee engagement. Dinasti International Journal of Management Science, 5(1), 22-33. https://doi.org/10.31933/dijms.v5i1.2023
Greenberg, D. and Landry, E. (2011). Negotiating a flexible work arrangement: how women navigate the influence of power and organizational context. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 32(8), 1163-1188. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.750
Gross-Gołacka, E., Szkudlarek, E., Brzegowy, A., Kupczyk, T., & Ligaj, M. (2022). Well-being among it employees working remotely: post covid-19 reality from the perspective of it industry. European Research Studies Journal, XXV(Issue 2), 223-235. https://doi.org/10.35808/ersj/2917
Gudep, V. (2019). An empirical study of the relationships between the flexible work systems (fws), organizational commitment (oc), work life balance (wlb) and job. International Journal of Management, 10(5). https://doi.org/10.34218/ijm.10.5.2019.002
Gulo, V. and Sihombing, M. (2024). The influence of perceived organizational support and workload on employee productivity at perumda tirtauli pematang siantar city. Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Business (Jhssb), 3(2), 356-369. https://doi.org/10.55047/jhssb.v3i2.925
Halpern, D. (2005). How time-flexible work policies can reduce stress, improve health, and save money. Stress and Health, 21(3), 157-168. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.1049
Haziq, M., Ayyub, M., Hasnisham, Q., Baker, R., & Kelana, B. (2023). Flexible work arrangements: experience of a malaysian manufacturing company. Nust Business Review, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.37435/nbr23010801
Higgins, C., Duxbury, L., & Julien, M. (2014). The relationship between work arrangements and work-family conflict. Work, 48(1), 69-81. https://doi.org/10.3233/wor-141859
Hoeven, C. and Zoonen, W. (2015). Flexible work designs and employee well‐being: examining the effects of resources and demands. New Technology Work and Employment, 30(3), 237-255. https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12052
Indradewa, R. and Prasetio, A. (2023). The influence of flexible working arrangements and work-life balance on job satisfaction: a double-layered moderated mediation model. Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 26(2), 449-476. https://doi.org/10.24914/jeb.v26i2.9551
Jung, H. and Yoon, H. (2021). Generational effects of workplace flexibility on work engagement, satisfaction, and commitment in south korean deluxe hotels. Sustainability, 13(16), 9143. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169143
Kelliher, C. and Anderson, D. (2009). Doing more with less? flexible working practices and the intensification of work. Human Relations, 63(1), 83-106. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726709349199
Khan, A., Khan, A., Shah, T., Khattak, M., & Abukhait, R. (2023). Management's internal governance policies on flexible work practices and the mediating lens of work life enrichment – outcome for employee work engagement and organizational attractiveness. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness People and Performance. https://doi.org/10.1108/joepp-02-2023-0059
Khorfan, R., Yuce, T., Love, R., Yang, A., Chung, J., Hoyt, D., … & Bilimoria, K. (2019). Cumulative effect of flexible duty hour policies on resident outcomes: long-term follow-up results from the first trial. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 229(4), S237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.08.519
Kim, K., Eisenberger, R., & Baik, K. (2016). Perceived organizational support and affective organizational commitment: moderating influence of perceived organizational competence. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 37(4), 558-583. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2081
Koon, V. and Chong, K. (2018). Workplace flexibility and organisational citizenship behaviour: an investigation of the mediating role of engagement and moderating role of perceived fairness. International Journal of Work Organisation and Emotion, 9(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijwoe.2018.091336
Kwon, M. (2019). Effects of recognition of flexible work systems, organizational commitment, and quality of life on turnover intentions of healthcare nurses. Technology and Health Care, 27(5), 499-507. https://doi.org/10.3233/thc-191734
Li, W., Tang, H., Ma, H., Zhang, J., & Zhang, N. (2021). Work flexibility-ability and work–family conflict: the joint role of willingness and worry. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 36(8), 606-619. https://doi.org/10.1108/jmp-08-2020-0458
Loretto, W. and Vickerstaff, S. (2015). Gender, age and flexible working in later life. Work Employment and Society, 29(2), 233-249. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017014545267
Marumpe, D., Rosnani, T., Fahruna, Y., & Jaya, A. (2023). Are perceived organizational support and flexible working arrangement able to influence employee engagement among millennials?. Asian Journal of Economics Business and Accounting, 23(11), 28-44. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajeba/2023/v23i11976
Nurjaman, K. (2024). The influence of corporate culture on employee well-being: a comparative study of hybrid and remote work models. International Journal of Religion, 5(11), 4812-4820. https://doi.org/10.61707/sg8vwk63
Paschina, S. (2023). Trust in management and work flexibility: a quantitative investigation of modern work dynamics and their impact on organizational performance. European Research Studies Journal, XXVI(Issue 3), 184-196. https://doi.org/10.35808/ersj/3205
Pramaditya, Y. and Pusparini, E. (2022). The effect of perceived organizational support on flexible working arrangement and task performance.. https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.220701.083
Rahmawati, D. and Pusparini, E. (2023). The influence of flexible working arrangements and perceived supervisor support on work engagement and employee performance: an empirical study on government financial organizations in Indonesia. Journal of Management and Organization, 14(4), 322-342. https://doi.org/10.29244/jmo.v14i4.47409
Rashid, W., Zainal, D., & Razak, N. (2023). Policies, technology and leadership support on work-life balance among employees of selected private hospital in klang valley. Information Management and Business Review, 15(3(I)), 105-114. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v15i3(i).3522
Richman, A., Civian, J., Shannon, L., Hill, E., & Brennan, R. (2008). The relationship of perceived flexibility, supportive work–life policies, and use of formal flexible arrangements and occasional flexibility to employee engagement and expected retention. Community Work & Family, 11(2), 183-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668800802050350
Rudolph, C. and Baltes, B. (2017). Age and health jointly moderate the influence of flexible work arrangements on work engagement: evidence from two empirical studies.. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 22(1), 40-58. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0040147
Sanders, S. and Karmowska, J. (2020). Voluntary flexible working arrangements and their effects on managers and employees. Harvard Deusto Business Research, 9(2), 197-220. https://doi.org/10.48132/hdbr.304
Schaufeli, W. and Bakker, A. (2004). Job demands, job resources, and their relationship with burnout and engagement: a multi‐sample study. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 25(3), 293-315. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.248
Silitonga, M. and Batubara, M. (2023). Does flexible working time make start-up company workers more engaged? Enlighten (Journal of Islamic Guidance and Counseling), 6(2), 111-122. https://doi.org/10.32505/enlighten.v6i2.6630
Stich, J. (2020). Flexible working and applicant attraction: a person–job fit approach. Personnel Review, 50(1), 358-378. https://doi.org/10.1108/pr-12-2019-0672
Subramaniam, A., Overton, B., & Maniam, C. (2015). Flexible working arrangements, work life balance and women in malaysia. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, 5(1), 34-38. https://doi.org/10.7763/ijssh.2015.v5.417
Sunaryo, S., Sawitri, H., Suyono, J., Wahyudi, L., & Sarwoto, S. (2022). Flexible work arrangement and work-related outcomes during the covid-19 pandemic: evidence from local governments in indonesia. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 20(3), 411-424. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.20(3).2022.33
Thapa, S. (2024). Effect of flexible work environment on employee job satisfaction of nepalese commercial banks. Nep. J. Mgt., 11(2), 115-134. https://doi.org/10.3126/njm.v11i2.68857
Timsal, A. and Awais, M. (2016). Flexibility or ethical dilemma: an overview of the work from home policies in modern organizations around the world. Human Resource Management International Digest, 24(7), 12-15. https://doi.org/10.1108/hrmid-03-2016-0027
Wang, B., Liu, Y., Qian, J., & Parker, S. (2020). Achieving effective remote working during the covid‐19 pandemic: a work design perspective. Applied Psychology, 70(1), 16-59. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12290
Wong, K., Chan, A., & Teh, P. (2020). How is work–life balance arrangement associated with organisational performance? a meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12), 4446. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124446
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Asep Suherman (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

















