Understanding the associations between “work from home”, job satisfaction, work-life balance, stress, and gender in an organizational context of remote work

Abstract

The growth of remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic has raised questions about its impact on job satisfaction, work-life balance, and occupational stress. Using the lens of organizational support theory and viewing "work from home" as an optimal scenario that enhances the sense of productivity and satisfaction, our research explores gender differences in remote work behavior. Data from 241 remote employees across four South American countries were statistical analyzed to test the hypotheses. Findings show a positive correlation between optimal “work from home” and satisfaction, mediated by work-life balance and work stress. Notably, the study unveils that female job satisfaction depends necessarily on reducing work stress, while males can achieve it through work stress and work-life balance. These insights hold managerial significance, offering nuanced understanding for organizations to tailor policies and interventions effectively.