Research: Work-Life Balance, Flexible Working, and Performance

This research project investigates the impact of work-life balance and flexible working arrangements on employee performance, specifically within Sainsbury. The study employs a quantitative methodology to analyze the relationship between flexible working hours and employee satisfaction and productivity. Key findings indicate a positive correlation between flexible working options, such as flexible hours and additional benefits, and employee motivation. The research concludes that Sainsbury's employees are highly satisfied with their working conditions, and that flexible working hours directly impact employee performance. Recommendations include focusing on productivity over working hours, implementing training and development sessions, and offering both monetary and non-monetary incentives. The report also reviews relevant literature, including theories such as the Boundary and Compensation Theories, to provide a comprehensive understanding of work-life balance and its impact on employee outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and flexible working in enhancing overall organizational performance and employee well-being.

Research Project

Executive Summary
To manage both life in best manner, there is a need to use work-life balance and this
in turn leads to meet the define aim as well. In the same way, current study will shed a light
on importance of having work- life balance which in turn leads to meet personal as well as
professional interest. Hence, by applying quantitative study, scholar present results which are
as mention:
Key findings: As per the study they key findings reflect that there must be proper balance
between the personal life and professional life and this is possible when company offer
flexible working hours and extra benefits. In the same way, Sainsbury offer the same in order
to let their employees motivated towards their roles and responsibilities. Study also find out
that there is a direct impact of flexible working hours upon employee performance.
Conclusion: Study also concluded from primary study that employees of Sainsbury are
highly satisfied within the working hours and company also offer extra incentive to their
employees in order to keep motivated like flexible working hours. Also, from secondary
study, theories and models of work- life balance are used which reflected that by developing
strategies, company improve the performance.
Recommendation:
 Focus on productivity rather than working hours
 Conduct training and development session
 Offer incentive, monetary and non- monetary benefits.

Table of Contents
Executive Summary...................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................................................5
METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION.....................................................................8
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION.....................................................................10
RESEARCH OUTCOMES......................................................................................................19
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.....................................................................19
Recommendation..................................................................................................................20
REFLECTION AND RECOMMENDATION........................................................................21
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................22
Appendix..................................................................................................................................24

Topic: ““Impact of work-life balance and flexible working on performance of employees”. A
Research work on Sainsbury”
INTRODUCTION
In the era of tough competition, every business focus upon their employees needs and
for them work life balance plays an important role. It is a term which is used to manage both
work as well as other aspects of life, whether it would be family related to personal interest.
On the other hand to manage these aspect within a business, companies offer flexible
working hours which in turn improve the employee performance. In the same way, current
study is focus upon these two aspect i.e. work life balance and flexible working and how it
creates direct impact upon worker’s performance. For that both primary and secondary data
collection options are selected which in turn help to reach final conclusion and also meet the
define aim of a project.
The chosen firm for this report is Sainsbury which is one of the top MNC in UK who
operates within retail sector. It is operating in more than 20 countries and that is why, have a
strong workforce and also make sure that it comply with all the needs of their employees in
order to sustain brand image of a company at international level.
Aim: “To evaluate about the concept of Work-Life balance and Enrichment Experience
along with impact of flexible working on performance of employees”. A Research work on
Sainsbury.
Objectives:
 To review about the concept of Work-Life balance and Enrichment Experience at
workplace.
 To determine the impact lead by work-life balance and flexible working on
performance of employees working at Sainsbury.
 To evaluate various ways that could be adopted by managers of Sainsbury to lead
better work-life balance and ensure flexible working for its employees.
Research questions:
 What is meant by the concept of Work-Life balance and Enrichment Experience and
why it is vital for an organisation?

 What impact could be seen on performance of employees working at Sainsbury due to
the better management and creation of work-life balance and flexible working?
 What are the possible recommended and suggested ways that could be taken up by the
managers of Sainsbury to lead better work-life balance and ensure flexible working
for its employees?
Rationale:
The rationale for conducting the research project is such that investigator have their
own interest to study on this topic which in turn leads to enhance the current knowledge and
also come to know about reality of business. As the current topic is based upon implication of
work life balance and flexible working and how it affect the employee performance, thus it
also significant for personal as well as academic purpose which in turn leads to improve lots
of skills. Moreover, study on this topic will help to determine the ways through which
company provide better work life balance and also ensure flexible working for their
employees that will also be used in their professional career.
So, it is also realized that by study on this topic will help to determine the ways
through which employees are motivated in order to enhance their efficiency and the present
study is vital from the professional aspects because it aid to determine the importance of
work-life balance and flexible working that leads to improve overall performance of an
organization.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theme 1: To review about the concept of Work-Life balance and Enrichment
Experience at workplace.
In accordance with Sirgy and Lee (2018) work-life balance is all about to manage
both work and other aspects of life. Thus, it is consider important within working place
because it allow to separate work and home so that it do not cause any negative impact upon
working performance. Thus, employee enrichment is link with overall appraisal and also
assist to set balance between personal and professional life. There are many theories which
associated with these concept such as:

Boundary and Border Theory: Chung and Van der Lippe (2018) reflected their views
by stating that there must be a boundary between the personal and professional life which
help the people to stay away from stress. Thus, the theory set a boundary and also focus on
outcomes such as satisfaction of the work. It also stated that keep work and family separate
makes work easier for a person and they enjoy their life as well (Boundary Theory, 2018).
Compensation theory: Starmer, Frintner and Freed (2016) share their views that it is
set out for better relationship within work as well as family, in which a person makes a clear
bifurcation between their personal and professional life. Thus, it also describe the efforts that
provide positive experience and also associated with work and family in order to make people
free from stress.
Thus, it is clearly stated that through work life balance, a healthy environment is
developed and this in turn leads to reduce stress and also help to prevent burnout in the
workplace which also improve the productivity of an employees.
Theme 2: To determine the impact lead by work-life balance and flexible working on
performance of employees working at Sainsbury
Talukder, Vickers and Khan (2018) stated that work-life balance creates direct impact
upon employee performance such that Job satisfaction. It means when an employee learn
how to manage the work, then it helps to satisfy the job. Also, through flexibility, employees
are encourage to perform the work in better manner and this in turn leads to improve the
productivity as well. Johari, Tan and Zulkarnain (2018) also supported that not only
employees given more control, but it also leads to improve the working environment through
which employees easily perform the work.
Work life
balance
Boundary and
Border Theory
Compensation
Theory

Boost morale and creativity within employee is another positive impact because a
proper management of work-life balance as well as flexible working leads to improve
commitment level of employees. According to Schwartz and et.al., (2019) flexible working
will help to improve physical and mental well-being of employees that leads to improve the
performance and workers also present creativity in their working which leads to sustain the
brand image at international market.
Barber, Conlin and Santuzzi (2019) evaluated that employees are healthier and
happier is another advantage of using flexible schedule. It is so because it improve the health
and reduce the level of stress which motivate employee to perform well. As a result,
employee turnover decreases ad absenteeism is reduce that assist to retain the qualified
employees within a working place. Overall it help to make employee happy and they also put
their efforts in order to attain the define aim of a company. However on critically note, it is
also analyzed by Le and et.al., (2020) that with the help of flexible working schedule most of
the people took negative advantage that affect the working culture and that is why, it leads to
affect the results in opposite manner too.
Theme 3: To evaluate various ways that could be adopted by managers of Sainsbury to
lead better work-life balance and ensure flexible working for its employees
Hofmann and Stokburger-Sauer (2017) presented their opinion that there are many
ways through which the managers of Sainsbury lead to better work-life balance which in turn
improve the productivity of a company as well. Such that managers must focus on
productivity rather than working hours, like them have to keep encourage employees so that
they think, they are an important key element of a business and start putting efforts as well.
They should involve employees in decision making process and try to get their views that
leads to encourage them to start think for their company as well. On the other side,
Karkoulian, Srour and Sinan (2016) they should also review the workloads so that it do not
cause any negative impact upon the business and employee performance as well. Also,
managers should develop strategy in order to reduce the burden of workloads such as perform
activity once in a week that helps to motivate employees and as a result, they set a balance
between their work life and personal time.
De Menezes and Kelliher (2017) also suggested their views by stating that by offering
flexible and remote working hours, employees manage their work at their own risk and also
employees feel valued at company where they manage both personal and professional

working life in better manner. Also, offering perks or another benefit is also assist to make
employees understand that company think about them and that is why, it assist to improve the
performance level of a company as well.
METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION
For research methodology, Saunder’s research Onion is used that helps to determine
each and every methods with proper justification. Through this, researcher is able to
determine the validity and reliability of the study which in turn leads to attain the define aim
of a company.
Research method: Basically there are two main methods of research i.e. qualitative,
and quantitative. Under qualitative method which involves collecting and analyzing all non-
numerical data that helps to understand the concepts and opinions which in turn used to
gather in-depth insights into a problem to get new ideas (Fryer, Larson-Hall and Stewart,
2018). While Quantitative research is define as a systematic investigation which in used to
gather numeric data and perform statistical techniques for getting best answer.
Among all, quantitative study has been adopted by the scholar in order to generate the
better outcome because it collect information quickly and results are accurately generated as
compared to another type. Thus, with the help of this methodology, scholar also enhance the
accuracy and able to present and communicate the information related to work-life balance.
Research Philosophy: it is a first layer of research onion that is a notion about a way
through which information is gathered and used for analyzing he study. It is also divided into
four types such as Pragmatism, which help to interpret the results into many ways and also
provide a broader view to present the world (Basias and Pollalis, 2018). Next is Positivism,
which is relies upon the factual knowledge that gain through observation and all the results
findings are observable and quantifiable. Third is Realism, which is actually relies upon the
idea of independence of reality from a human mind and based upon assumption. Last is,
Interpretivism that helps to interpret the key element from a human mind.
Among all, Positivism research Philosophy has been adopted that makes sure that
better testing has been done and all the objectives are meet with a support of quantitative
study. Thus, with the help of this type, scholar analyze the things into different points and
then conclude a results that assist to meet the define aim i.e. work life balance and enrichment
experience with an impact of flexible schedule.

Research Approach: This is another layer of research onion and it is a plan and
procedure through which researcher meet the define aim. There are two main type of research
approach i.e. Deductive which is mainly concern with developing hypothesis and design the
strategy in order to test the same. Next is Inductive which is deals with qualitative study and
also start with an observation and theories in order to support the results (Queirós, Faria and
Almeida, 2017).
So, among all. Deductive approach has been used by the investigator because it helps
to generate the relationship in order to get conclusion. In the present study, scholar also wants
to determine the impact of work-life balance and flexible schedule upon the employee
performance and that is why, this strategy is used to examine the results and also support to
conduct the entire study in better manner.
Research strategy: There are variety of methods which are applied used by the
researcher depend upon the need such that experiments, Survey, case study, archival research,
ethnography, etc. So among all, survey strategy has been adopted by the scholar through
which scholar make use of questionnaire related to work-life balance and flexible schedule in
order to make sure that relevant information is asked that assist to answer research questions
(Rutberg and Bouikidis, 2018).
Data collection: It is the method of gather data from different methods in order to
answer questions. There are two types of data collection and these are used by the scholar.
Such that under primary data collection method which is also known as first handed research
in which scholar used questionnaire that consist of different questions which are asked to
selected respondents in order to accomplish the define aim (Babones, 2016). On the other
hand, under secondary research which is already conducted by the other researcher and thus,
for literature review, this method has been used in which online form of literature, articles
and books are selected that assist to meet the define aim and analyze the way through which
Sainsbury uses the measures to motivate employees.
Data analysis: It is the method of cleaning and modelling data that helps to discover
the information that leads to make better decision. Thus, in the present study, scholar uses
thematic data analysis method in which graphs, charts and tables are used to make the entire
research more presentable and also interpret the views of selected sample in order to generate
the views with regards to Sainsbury (Murshed and Zhang, 2016). Thus, this method also

assist to look the entire research more effective and understand the views of different sample
in better manner and also conduct study in precise mode.
Sampling: It is the process through which set number of observation are taken from a
larger population in order to answer the research question. There are two types of sampling
method such that probabilistic, in which every member of population has a chance to
participate within study and non- probabilistic in which not each member have a right to
involve in the study. So among all, scholar uses random sampling method in which 30
employees of Sainsbury are selected. This will help the scholar to meet the define aim and get
the views of all the selected respondents.
Ethical Consideration: For conducting the project in better manner, scholar should
take consent from the respondents prior to conducting study and also make sure that there is
no miscommunication between the scholar and respondents because it may leads to wrong
results. Further, Data Protection Act must be complied because it help to maintain
confidentiality and this in turn leads to generate best outcomes. Proper respect and dignity
should be ensured by investigator in order to conduct the research in better manner.
Cost: For the current study, scholar require approx. £548 which includes human
resource, technological resources, financial resources that helps to meet the define aim and
also generate the best outcome.
Accessibility: Scholar faces different issue regarding accessibility such that there are
many sites which are access denied and this in turn leads to affect the results because
consume lots of time. Thus, this is somehow affect the project in opposite manner and it is
also consider as a research limitation.
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
Theme 1: Working of employees
Frequency Percent Valid Percent
More than 1 years 6 20.0 20.0
More than 2 years 15 50.0 50.0

More than 3 years 5 16.7 16.7
More than 4 years 4 13.3 13.3
Total 30 100.0 100.0
Interpretation: Through the above, it is interpreted that majority of the workers are
employed in Sainsbury from last 2 years, such that out of 30 employees, 15 are stated that
they are working so long in quoted firm. While, 6 of them stated that they are working in
company from last 1 years and 5 of them are said that they are working in 3 years and only 4
of them stated that they are working last 4 years. Hence, it is reflected that company have
strong employee retention power which is proved from primary study.
Theme 2: Satisfaction regarding working hours within Sainsbury
Frequency Percent Valid Percent
Highly Satisfied 8 26.7 26.7
Satisfied 12 40.0 40.0
Neutral 5 16.7 16.7
Dissatisfied 3 10.0 10.0
Highly dissatisfied 2 6.7 6.7

Total 30 100.0 100.0
Interpretation: In accordance with table it is analyzed that most of the employees are
satisfied with the working hours. Such as out of 30 employees, 40% of them are satisfied,
while 26% of them are highly satisfied and only 6% of them are completely dissatisfied with
the working hours offered by Sainsbury. Hence, this can be stated that working environment
of the company is satisfactory. So, when there is a heavy workload, company offer extra pay
for employee’s extra offerings and this way, work and employees both are manages. Even
during off-season, Sainsbury is also offering range of facilities such as paternity leave,
flexible working hours which help to make the employees motivated towards a job and this
way, company is balancing their working and also make sure that professional life do not
affect worker’s personal life.
-Theme 3: Employees are benefit from offloading the task to another employees
Frequency Percent Valid Percent
Highly Satisfied 15 50.0 50.0
Satisfied 5 16.7 16.7
Neutral 4 13.3 13.3
Dissatisfied 3 10.0 10.0
Highly dissatisfied 3 10.0 10.0