Working from Home, Work-Related Attitudes, Work-Life Balance and Employee Well-Being – Implications for HRM in the Post-COVID Era

Biljana Bogićević Milikić; Ana Aleksić Mirić; Nebojša Janićijević

doi:10.7595/management.fon.2023.0009

Biljana Bogićević Milikić University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics and Business http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3084-8021
Ana Aleksić Mirić University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics and Business http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9368-6501
Nebojša Janićijević University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics and Business http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3919-0086

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7595/management.fon.2023.0009

Abstract

Research Question: This paper explores the relationship between working from home, work-related attitudes, work-life balance and employee well-being. Motivation: The paper is inspired by an evident lack of research of factors that possibly cause differences in the employees` work-related attitudes, work-life balance and employee well-being especially in the Covid Era. In this paper, we search for a better understanding of the relationship between working from home, work-related attitudes, work-life balance and employee well-being. Idea: The paper aims to identify factors that make a difference in certain work-related attitudes (job satisfaction and organizational commitment), work-life balance and employee well-being in working from home environment in order to provide for better understanding of employees` behaviour in the Covid Era and the implications for more effective Human Resource Management of working from home employees in Post-Covid time. Data: Primary data were collected through a questionnaire with 2,171 employees, over the period from the end of March till the beginning of May 2021. The sample included only respondents who have experienced working from home from the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic in Serbia. Tools: Statistical analysis was performed (using descriptive stats, t-test for testing equality of means, chi-square test and ANOVA, and some non-parametrical tests). Findings: Preliminary findings signify a lack of previous experience in applying the working from home practice; an increase in the length of working hours; some resistance to working from home; most employees would choose a balance in which office work dominates, but there is also work from home, at least one day a week; the dominant majority of employees report feeling cheerful and moody, calm and relaxed and active and energetic when working from home, while slightly different results are recorded in the field of physical well-being; overall work-life balance is not interrupted. Contribution: This paper contributes to the research of factors of work-related attitudes, work-life balance and employee well-being while working from home by bringing original field data from Serbia. From the standpoint of HR policies and practices, it offers valuable implications for managers working in post-Covid Era.

Author Biographies

Biljana Bogićević Milikić, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics and Business

Biljana Bogićević Milikić is a full professor at the Department of Management and Business Studies. Her areas of professional interest include organizational studies (theory, design, and behaviour), human resource management and public management. She published a few books and more than 140 research papers. She is engaged for 20 years in the process of public administration reform in Serbia and consulting for many private companies in the field of organization and management.

Ana Aleksić Mirić, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics and Business

Ana Aleksić Mirić is a full professor at the Department of Management and Business Studies. Her areas of professional interest include organizational studies (theory, design, and behaviour), knowledge management and network analysis. She has a rich publishing record, producing individual and joint chapters and articles in edited collections and scholarly journals. Ana has served as a consultant for both private and public organizations.

Nebojša Janićijević, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics and Business

Nebojša Janićijević is a full professor at the Department of Management and Business Studies. His areas of professional interest include organizational design and behaviour, organizational culture and change management. He published 10 books and more than 200 research papers. He is engaged as a consultant for many companies in the field of organization and management.