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Burnout, job satisfaction and work-life balance among corporate telecommuters: Differences in age and gender

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Psychology (Shift II), Women’s Christian College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • 2Department of Psychology (Shift II), Women’s Christian College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • 3Department of Psychology (Shift II), Women’s Christian College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • 4Department of Psychology (Shift II), Women’s Christian College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • 5Department of Psychology (Shift II), Women’s Christian College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 12, Issue (2), Pages 13-22, July,14 (2023)

Abstract

The global spread of COVID-19 compelled companies to redesign their conventional methods of working. The unexpected demand for work-from-home propelled a fast-paced digital transformation in the work environment, and brought in its wake, numerous challenges. Specifically, with distinctions between ‘work’ and ‘home’ severely lacking, this transition has challenged traditional gender roles within households. It has also necessitated a rapid adaptability across age groups. This research study aims to assess the influence of gender and age differences in burnout, job satisfaction, and work-life balance among corporate telecommuters. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, The Generic Job Satisfaction Scale, and the Work-Life Balance Scaleare administered to a sample of 30 male and 30 female Indian corporate telecommuters, with 30 telecommuters under the age of 40 and 30 telecommuters over the age of 40. Descriptive statistical methods and independent measures t-test are utilized for the purpose of data analysis. Corporate telecommuters below the age of 40 report higher burnout, lower job satisfaction and higher work/personal life enhancement than their counterparts below the age of 40, while no significant gender-based differences are observed. This suggests the imminent need for age-based accommodations in a remote working setting as well as a possible erosion of gender-normative views on domestic roles while telecommuting.

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