Public Sector Employees’ Perception of Work-life Balance Policies in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Abstract

The imbalance between job demands and job resources creates strain on employees. Work-life policies address one aspect of this imbalance by contributing to job resources. Most of these policies are relatively new for most individuals and organizations in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and not all policies are applied. This study explores public sector employees’ perceptions of work-life balance policies in the Kingdom of Bahrain. An online survey examining work-life balance levels among public sector employees collected 415 responses. The findings showed that employees perceived the current policies adopted in the public sector to be convenient but insufficient. Some participants mentioned that the legislated policies were not implemented in their organizations, while others stated that they hesitated to utilize the policies because doing so would affect their chances of career progression. Females, millennials, and younger employees showed a higher interest in more flexibility and support to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The study recommended raising awareness of the importance of work-life balance among policymakers and leaders and enforcing the implementation of existing policies for applicable jobs.