Work-life balance versus work-life merge: A comparative analysis of psychological well-being in today’s workplace
Authors
Sharkey, Jennifer
Issue Date
2019
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The aim of this mixed-methods research study was to test the traditional concept of work-life balance which suggests workers can experience better well-being by being able to psychologically switch on and off. Participants were 133 full-time workers split between those that worked solely from their workplace and those that worked from a combination of their workplace and home. Each participant completed quantitative online surveys that measured their perceived stress, life satisfaction and job satisfaction levels. In their own words, they also answered qualitative questions about how their jobs impacted their lives, what they would change and what motivates them. Results found participants who worked from a combination of the workplace and home had significantly greater job and life satisfaction levels than their workplace-based counterparts. Conclusions drawn suggest there is real merit in offering flexible constructs to today’s Information Age workers in order to harvest better psychological well-being in the workplace.