Flexible Work Schedules and Employee Well-being

Abstract

This paper aims to improve understanding of the relationship between the use of flexible work schedules and employee well-being. Using a sample of 336 employees operating on two flexible work schedules (flexitime and telecommuting), clear evidence was found of the positive relationships between flexible work practices, job satisfaction and work/life balance. The results of the study also indicate that flexitime schedules can reduce the impact of role overload and job-induced stress. However, the findings suggest that telecommuting does not always enhance role overload and work/life balance. In addition, employees operating under flexitime work schedules displayed significantly higher levels of work/life balance than their counterparts utilising telecommuting arrangements. The study findings are discussed in relation to theories of employee flexibility and the implications for employees and organisations are addressed.