Remote Working and Work-Life Balance Among Young Professionals in Indonesia: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

Abstract

Remote working has become a dominant work arrangement among young professionals in Indonesia, accelerated by the post-pandemic digital transformation. However, the relationship between remote working characteristics and work life balance (WLB) among this demographic remains underexplored in the Indonesian context. This study investigates how flexibility, workload, lack of social interaction, and work-family conflict influence work-life balance, and subsequently affect life satisfaction and productivity among young remote workers (aged 23–35). Employing a qualitative exploratory approach, data were collected from 18 respondents comprising freelancers and full time remote employees through open ended survey instruments. Thematic analysis revealed that flexibility positively supports WLB (H1 supported), while excessive workload (H2), lack of social interaction (H3), and work-family conflict (H4) negatively impact WLB. Furthermore, improved WLB was found to enhance both life satisfaction (H6) and productivity (H5). These findings extend the work of Taşdelen-Karçkay and Bakalım (2017) into the Indonesian remote work context and contribute practical implications for organizations and policymakers in designing sustainable remote work systems for the younger generation.