Servant Leadership and its Influence on Work-Life Balance in Work from Home Settings

Abstract

This study examines the impact of work from home on work-life balance within the Malaysian public sector, with a specific focus on the moderating effects of servant leadership. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed traditional work practices, requiring an exploration of how work from home influences employee well-being and organisational outcomes. Using a correlational research design and a quantitative approach, data were collected through online surveys from 264 employees. Analysis was carried out using structural equation modelling (SEM) using SPSS version 27 and SmartPLS version 3.3.9. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between work from home practices and work-life balance (β = 0.225, t = 3.587, p = 0.000), indicating that work from home improves the ability of employees to manage professional and personal responsibilities. Furthermore, the inclusion of Servant Leadership as a moderating factor significantly amplified this relationship, increasing the explained variance in work-life balance outcomes to 27.5%. This highlights the critical role of supportive leadership in shaping positive work from home experiences. However, a subtle understanding emerged from the slope analysis, which showed that while the low to median levels of servant leadership positively influenced the relationship, the high levels of servant leadership had a negative impact. This complexity indicates that the effectiveness of leadership support in remote settings varies and requires a balanced approach. This study contributes to the existing literature by emphasising the importance of leadership dynamics in work from home environments and providing practical recommendations for organisations. These include implementing flexible work policies, promoting open communication, offering training and development opportunities, prioritising mental health, and encouraging clear work-life boundaries. Future research should explore cross-cultural perspectives, the long-term effects of work from home, and the impact of various leadership styles to better understand the intricate dynamics of work from home and work-life balance. By addressing these factors, organisations can foster a resilient, engaged, and well-balanced workforce in the evolving landscape of work from home.