The Impact of Flexible Work Arrangments on Female Employees in Saudi Arabia's Telecommunications Industry

Abstract

Flexible work arrangements ( FWAs ) have gained traction in the recent past especially during and post COVID-19 pandemic. Many organizations implemented FWAs for business continuity and to promote work-life balance. The focus of the study was to investigate the impact of FWAs on female employees in Saudi Arabia telecommunications industry. Given the Saudi context where women are expected to balance between house1d chores,rasing children, and working, FWAs present a good opportunity for this demographic. Data was collected through interviews with women working in the telecommunications industry under FWAs. The interviews lasted 30-45 minutes and they focused on the impact of FWAs on mental well-being, job satisfaction, career development, and productivity. The results of the study revealed a positive correlation between FWAs and mental well-being, job satisfaction, and productivity. This was mainly because of greater autonomy, better time management, ability to balance professional and personal commitments, and commitment from the company for work -life balance. Some of the participants felt that FWAs improved career development opportunities because of better time management, increased flexibility, and additional responsibilities. Those who perceived FWAs as a hindrance to career development opportunities cited reduced visibility and networking opportunities. The researcher recommends that telecommunications companies in Saudi to expand FWAs, provide necessary tools and resources for successful FWAs and implement regular assessments for FWAs. The limitations of the research included lack of generalizability, reliance on self-reported data, and cross-sectional design. Future research could utilize longitudinal design and investigate how factors such as age, education, and family responsibilities interact with FWAs to influence outcomes.