An exploration of the relationship between flexible work arrangements and job satisfaction within the Saudi context

Abstract

The research aims to explore the lived experience of academics in relation to remote work and flexible work hours (flexitime) and how these two options of flexible working arrangements influence their Work-Life Balance (WLB) and Job Satisfaction (JS) within the educational context of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This investigation is important to inform the development of policies that can help academics experience a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives, leading to improved JS. Ensuring employees' satisfaction is essential because satisfied employees are more likely to be productive and less inclined to leave their jobs. A qualitative approach was followed to achieve the research aim, along with semi-structured interviews conducted with ten academic participants. The collected data was analysed through the lens of thematic analysis, and the main findings were as follows. Firstly, remote work negatively influences academics, WLB, and JS. Secondly, flexible work hours positively affect academics, WLB, and JS. Thirdly, academics experienced various advantages and disadvantages of both options (remote work and flexitime). Finally, it is recommended that the institution in question adopt practices that will improve academics WLB and JS, such as reducing the workload, providing WLB training, and adopting slack application and hybrid working module. The implication is that future research could follow this study by conducting a quantitative approach to a wider number of participants and including elements in the questionnaires that would highlight the personality differences in influencing the results of an FWA impact on WLB and JS.