The Impact of Work and Family Conflicts on Productivity and Well-Being during Remote Work
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Abstract
In 2020, most of the Australian workforce engaged in remote work. Border conflicts (work interfering with family conflict and family interfering with work conflict) are negatively associated with well-being and productivity in traditional work settings. The current study aimed to explore the relationship between border conflict, wellbeing, and productivity when working remotely. Method. Participants were 340 adults aged 18 - 62 years (Mean = 33.98, SD = 8.80). To be eligible, individuals needed to be over the age of 18, living in Australia and working from home for at least one hour per week. Respondents reported on their levels of border conflict (Work-Family Conflict scale), wellbeing (Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale), productivity (Individual Work Performance Questionnaire) and demographic variables. Hierarchical linear regression analysis assessed associations between border conflict, productivity, and wellbeing. Results. Work interfering with family conflict and family interfering with work conflict demonstrated significant, negative associations with wellbeing Family interfering with work conflict demonstrated a significant, negative association with productivity, but work interfering with family conflict did not. Conclusion. Results demonstrate the importance of considering work and personal in unison when attempting to understanding employee’s productivity and wellbeing, especially when working remotely.
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