Work Life Balance Amongst Americans
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
University Library
Start Date
4-10-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-10-2026 3:15 PM
Description of Program
Work often defines identity in America, but at what cost? This research examines how working Americans experience work-life balance and job satisfaction across diverse occupations. It also explores the workplace and institutional supports that help them thrive both on the job and beyond it.
Abstract
Work Life balance and job satisfaction are critically important yet often overlooked aspects of the American workforce. This study examines how working Americans experience balance between professional and personal life as well as how access to institutionally supported resources relates to overall job satisfaction. Based on prior research, employees with overall low work satisfaction report if flexible work arrangements are available, their satisfaction with their occupation would increase. Conversely, studies focused on telework, a newer edition to the conversation of flexibility, present mixed feelings, including concerns related to distractions and decreased productivity. Much of the existing literature is based on occupation specific samples, leaving limited population level evidence on work life balance across the American workforce. To address this gap, the present study analyzes self reported measures of work-life balance and job satisfaction among working Americans from diverse occupational backgrounds. As well as, whether or not the implementation of institutional support would improve their satisfaction It is hypothesized that working Americans who report low levels of work-life balance and job satisfaction will have a higher desire of implementation of institutional supports than employees who report high levels of work-life balance and job satisfaction. This study is considered with hopes of providing a foundation for future investigation into social and organizational policies that may change the American workforce culture as we know it and improve working Americans wellbeing. With this study, working Americans and their relationship with their identity could be better understood, and perhaps serve as a step in the right direction of improving that relationship.
Faculty / Staff Sponsor
Dr. Yeojin Rho
Work Life Balance Amongst Americans
University Library
Work Life balance and job satisfaction are critically important yet often overlooked aspects of the American workforce. This study examines how working Americans experience balance between professional and personal life as well as how access to institutionally supported resources relates to overall job satisfaction. Based on prior research, employees with overall low work satisfaction report if flexible work arrangements are available, their satisfaction with their occupation would increase. Conversely, studies focused on telework, a newer edition to the conversation of flexibility, present mixed feelings, including concerns related to distractions and decreased productivity. Much of the existing literature is based on occupation specific samples, leaving limited population level evidence on work life balance across the American workforce. To address this gap, the present study analyzes self reported measures of work-life balance and job satisfaction among working Americans from diverse occupational backgrounds. As well as, whether or not the implementation of institutional support would improve their satisfaction It is hypothesized that working Americans who report low levels of work-life balance and job satisfaction will have a higher desire of implementation of institutional supports than employees who report high levels of work-life balance and job satisfaction. This study is considered with hopes of providing a foundation for future investigation into social and organizational policies that may change the American workforce culture as we know it and improve working Americans wellbeing. With this study, working Americans and their relationship with their identity could be better understood, and perhaps serve as a step in the right direction of improving that relationship.