A systematic review on work-life balance among IT professionals in India

Abstract

Work-life balance (WLB) entails establishing a harmonic equilibrium between one's professional and personal life. Time and energy management is the conscious practice of balancing work and personal responsibilities while prioritizing self-care and overall well-being. The IT sector has experienced substantial growth and has a prominent position in the nation's economy. The WLB has been prevalent in IT professionals over the years. This paper summarizes the recent status of research by emphasizing important discoveries from the body of extant literature and identifying significant remaining gaps using the PRISMA model. Using the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Emerald, and Sage, this systematic review aims to analyze all the research conducted between 2011 and 2023 on work-life balance among Indian IT employees. This review finds various factors affecting WLB in IT employees including organizational policies, gender-specific issues, technostress, burnout, social support, and flexible work options. The findings show that supportive management, psychological freedom, and established flexible work practices can improve WLB and employee happiness. However, major gaps remain, especially in the long-term effect of mixed work settings and the interplay of socio-demographic factors with WLB. Future studies should focus on longitudinal studies, mixed-method approaches, and the success of focused interventions like psychological capital building are analyzed. Thus, addressing these gaps can provide a complete understanding of WLB among IT employees in India by informing better organizational practices and policies to create a healthy and productive workforce in the IT sectors.