Dalarna University's logo and link to the university's website

Denna studie undersöker hur hybridarbetsmodellen påverkar anställdas arbetslivsbalans i Sverige efter Covid-19-pandemin. Det finns en brist på kvalitativa insikter i detta område, med särskilt fokus på deras personliga erfarenheter och upplevelser inom hybridarbetsmodellen.

En kvalitativ studie genomfördes med hjälp av semi-strukturerade intervjuer med tio respondenter samt en tematisk analys med en induktiv ansats. Söktermer relaterade till COVID-19, hybridarbetsmodell, arbetslivsbalans, arbetar hemifrån, arbetar på kontoret, anställda och post-COVID-19 användes för att hitta relevanta studier. Resultaten visade att hybridarbetsmodellen förbättrar anställdas arbetslivsbalans genom att erbjuda flexibilitet, förbättrad arbetsmiljö, ekonomiska fördelar samt möjligheter för social interaktion och kommunikation. Hybridarbete minskar pendling och ger ökad flexibilitet, men introducerar även utmaningar som ergonomiska problem vid hemarbete och minskad social interaktion med kollegor. Utmaningar med att upprätthålla gränser mellan arbete och privatliv identifierades också. För att förklara förändringar i organisationer användes institutionell teori, medan resursbaserad teori användes för att förstå hur resurser kan bidra till en förbättrad arbetsmiljö. Studien bidrar genom att adressera hur arbetsgivare kan stödja anställdas balans mellan arbete och privatliv. Sammanfattningsvis visar studien att hybridarbetsmodellen, trots sina utmaningar, erbjuder betydande fördelar som kan bidra till förbättrad arbetslivsbalans och välbefinnande för anställda.

Purpose: This study aims to increase understanding of the impact of the hybridwork model on employees´ work-life balance in the post-COVID-19 era, while also identifying the advantages and disadvantages associated with this workmodel.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A qualitative empirical study was conducted using semi-structured interviews analysed through thematic analysis with an inductive approach. The search terms included phrases related to the hybrid workmodel, work-life balance, work from home, work from the office, employees, and post COVID-19. Thorough screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts was performed to select studies that met the inclusion criteria.  

Findings: The hybrid work model enhances employees´ work-life balance, encompassing various themes, including flexibility, the work environment, economic advantages, social interaction and communication, technological role, and challenges/boundaries between work and private life. Additionally, advantages and disadvantages were considered in this study. While these themes offer benefits such as flexible time and reduced absences from work and travel expenses, they also present disadvantages such as a lack of ergonomic furniture when working at home, weakened bonds between colleagues, concerns about maintaining a strong organizational culture, and potential decreases in collaboration and cohesiveness in team performance.  

Research Limitations/Implications: This study is limited to ten (10) employees working in white-collar jobs in Sweden, and further research should include bluecollar workers and increase the number of respondents to gain deeper insights and understanding into the impact of the hybrid work model on employees´ work-life balance. Furthermore, the study solely focuses on the perspective and experiences of employees, and it could be beneficial to consider both the viewpoints of employers and employees in future research.

Originality/Value: This study contributes to existing organizational policies and regulations by providing insights into how organizations can improve their support for employees to achieve a healthy balance between work and private life. By highlighting both the advantages and disadvantages associated with this workmodel in the post-COVID-19 era, organizations can better understand the importance of their role as employers in balancing employees' work life balance in the current hybrid work environment.