Work Flexibility in the Digital Era: An Analysis of the Relationship between Work Flexibility, Work-Life Balance, and Employee Well-Being among Work From Anywhere Millennial and Gen Z Workers in Indonesia
Keywords:
work flexibility worl-life balance employee well-being work from anywhereAbstract
The rapid growth of the digital economy has transformed work patterns, giving rise to highly flexible arrangements such as Work From Anywhere (WFA). This model enables employees to choose their own work location and hours, appealing particularly to millennial and Gen Z workers who value autonomy and mobility. However, this flexibility often leads to the “flexibility paradox”—a tension between perceived freedom and hidden structural pressures, including blurred boundaries between work and personal life, excessive workloads, and psychosocial stress. This study examines the impact of work flexibility on employee well-being, with work-life balance as a mediating variable, focusing on millennial and Gen Z employees working under WFA schemes in Indonesia. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected via questionnaires employing a 7-point Semantic Differential scale and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to explore the relationships among variables. The research contributes to the limited body of literature on the psychosocial implications of flexible work systems in Indonesia and offers practical insights for organizations to design employee-centered digital work policies. These include balanced workload management, fair performance evaluation, and strategies that support work-life balance. By addressing these issues, WFA can evolve into a sustainable work model that not only boosts productivity but also promotes long-term well-being and social sustainability for the modern digital workforce.
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