Feeling Supported as a Remote Worker: The Role of Support from Leaders and Colleagues and Job Satisfaction in Promoting Employees’ Work–Life Balance

Ilaria Buonomo, Clara De Vincenzi, Martina Pansini (), Francesco D’Anna and Paula Benevene
Additional contact information
Ilaria Buonomo: Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, 00193 Rome, Italy
Clara De Vincenzi: Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, 00193 Rome, Italy
Martina Pansini: Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, 00193 Rome, Italy
Francesco D’Anna: Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, 00193 Rome, Italy
Paula Benevene: Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, 00193 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 6, 1-15

Abstract: Due to the increasing use of remote work, understanding the dynamics of employee support and its implications for job satisfaction and work–life balance is crucial. Utilizing the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory as a theoretical framework, this research investigated how feeling supported by leaders and colleagues at work fosters work–life balance and job satisfaction among remote employees. The study involved 635 remote workers (females = 61%, mean age, 46.7, SD = 11) from various service-based industries and public administration in Italy. Results from the structural equation model showed a total mediating effect of job satisfaction in the link between colleague support and work–life balance (χ 2 (22) = 68.923, p = 0.00, CFI = 0.973, TLI = 0.955, RMSEA = 0.059 (90% CI = 0.044–0.075, p = 0.158), SRMR = 0.030), emphasizing the role of interpersonal relationships within the workplace in enhancing remote workers’ job satisfaction and, consequently, their work–life balance. Contrary to expectations, the study found no significant direct or indirect link between leader support and work–life balance. This research highlights the significance of fostering strong social connections and ensuring employee satisfaction to promote well-being and work–life balance in remote work arrangements.

Keywords: work–life balance; job satisfaction; COR theory; social support; remote working (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/6/770/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/6/770/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:6:p:770-:d:1414536

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().