Paper #1

COVID-19 and Work-Life Balance: What about Supervisor Support and Employee Proactiveness?

Rajendra Kumar and Uma Mohan Mokashi

Abstract: The authors attempted to investigate how to resolve the growing work-life balance issue occurring due to COVID-19 Pandemic in the higher education sector. On the premise of prominent literature, the study conceptualized a framework to test if supervisor support and employee`s proactive work behavior could help address the work-life balance issue. Through applying the quantitative approach, the study collected data from employees working in a higher education institution in the UK. Results of the structural equation modeling found significant association and influence of supervisor support and work-life balance. The study also found a strong affiliation between proactive work behavior and work-life balance. However, proactive work behavior did not moderate supervisor support and work-life balance relationship. The study concluded that both supervisor support and proactive work behavior could be vital in helping employees to achieve their work goals effectively and efficiently without compromising their work-life balance. The study forwards prominent implications to guide practitioners, policymakers and researchers in this domain.

Keywords: Work-life balance; Supervisor support; Proactive work behavior; Higher education.