Do Flexible Working Arrangements Impact Women’s Participation In The Labour Market? A Multiple Regression Analysis
Geetha Subramaniam, Peck-Leong Tan, Ruzita Baah, Nurul Ainun Ahmad Atory
Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Abstract
In today’s dynamic work environment, women employees face a great challenge in balancing work and home which has a significant economic effect on the labour market. Flexible working arrangements have been commonly cited as a good solution which provides work-life balance and a possible tool to encourage greater female labour force participation. Using multiple regression analysis, this exploratory study tries to examine whether there is a link between flexible working arrangements and work-life balance. Work-life balance in this study was measured using time spent for work and life and work and family responsibilities. Using a sample of 397 working women in Malaysia, the results reveal that flexible working arrangements have a significant impact on work-life balance and hence women’s decision to continue working in the labour market. This study also shows that married women with higher education and higher income face a bigger challenge in balancing work and family. These results have a far reaching implication on talent loss and the Malaysian labour market and calls for workplace strategies that are more family friendly to be implemented immediately.
Keywords: Flexible working arrangements, Work life balance, Women, Labour market
