The Flexibility Paradox: Does Remote Work Improve or Blur Work-Life Balance?

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled global confinement, resulting in the swift implementation of remote work policies. Although remote work encourages stable job functions and social distancing, it also poses challenges, including monotonous telecommunications and online interactions, which may lead to fatigue and exhaustion. This study investigates how employees effectively balance their professional and personal responsibilities while telecommuting. The empirical and quantitative analysis examines the impact of remote work versus office work on employees' daily work-life balance by evaluating two independent variables: work engagement and work strain, along with their contributions and effects on employees' work-life balance. The study also reveals that employees' genders, the types of their organizations (private, government, NGO), and their parental responsibilities significantly influence work-life balance and positional conflicts based on these factors. Findings demonstrate that remote work enhances work-life balance, enabling employees to manage their professional and domestic responsibilities with composure. Moreover, work engagement positively affects work-life balance. Simultaneously, job strain adversely affects work-life balance, resulting in a disproportionate work and family life for employees experiencing work-related stress while telecommuting.