Work-life balance of white-collar remote workers in a technopark in Turkey

Abstract

The main purpose of the current study was to explore the work-life balance experiences of white-collar employees who shifted to remote work in a Technopark in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic, using a phenomenological approach. The research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, 49 white-collar workers participated by completing online questionnaires to assess their work-life balance. In the second phase, two focus group discussions were held, involving 11 participants. The data gathered from the questionnaires and focus groups were analyzed using interpretive content analysis method with MAXQDA 20 software. The content analysis revealed that personal factors, such as personality traits and adaptability, influenced the work-life balance of the white-collar employees. Among organizational factors, workplace culture and the home environment emerged as significant determinants. Most remote workers were found to be unable to set a work-life balance, consequently experiencing conflicts. However, some participants managed to maintain a harmonious balance between their professional and personal lives, though it tended to be skewed towards a work-centered equilibrium. The observed imbalances resulted in several negative outcomes for the participants, including the need for psychological support, role conflicts in different aspects of life, and diminished motivation. In contrast, those who achieved balance reported higher levels of life satisfaction, job satisfaction, and subjective well-being. Copyright © Hasan Eşici, Yasin Şehitoğlu, Ahmet Ayaz, Mehmet Akif Karaman.