Examining the Mediating Role of Work-Life Balance in the Relationship Between Work-from-Home Benefits and Employee Outcomes for IT professional in Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

This study examines the mediating role of work-life balance (WLB) in the relationship between work-from-home (WFH) benefits and employee outcomes for IT professionals in Uttar Pradesh, India, a sector experiencing a surge in remote work. Additionally, research aimed to assess the association between employee designation and their WLB, WFH benefits, job performance, and job satisfaction, and to investigate the mediating role of WLB between WFH benefits and both employee satisfaction and job performance. Employing a cross-sectional, exploratory survey design with a quantitative approach, data were collected from 467 IT professionals working in prominent firms through a structured questionnaire using Likert scale-based items. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi-square analysis, and PROCESS macro mediation analysis. The results indicated a significant association between employee designation and work-life balance, but not with perceived WFH benefits, job performance, or job satisfaction. Furthermore, the study found that work-life balance partially mediates the relationship between WFH benefits and job performance, suggesting that the positive effects of remote work on performance are enhanced when employees achieve better work-life integration. However, no significant mediating effect of work-life balance was found between WFH benefits and job satisfaction, implying that other factors might more directly influence satisfaction in remote work settings. The study concludes that WFH benefits improve job performance through enhanced work-life balance, though job satisfaction remains multi-dimensional. Organizations should adopt role-specific strategies to support employee well-being and productivity. These insights guide HR professionals in crafting equitable, effective remote work policies tailored to diverse roles and employee needs.