When working from home leads to burnout: the role of work–family conflict, job stress and partner work practices

Purpose This paper aims to enhance our understanding of the nuanced relationship between work from home (WFH) and employee burnout, particularly considering the increased prevalence of WFH after the COVID-19 pandemic. We integrate existing research to examine how work–family conflict (WFC) and job stress mediate this relationship, while also considering the moderating role of partners’ WFH practices. Design/methodology/approach In Study 1, we utilized a sample of working professionals to assess the endogenous relationship between WFH and burnout, focusing on WFC. Study 2 involved an online experiment with working adults that implemented a controlled manipulation of WFH to examine job stress as an additional mediator. We also investigated the moderating role of partners’ work arrangements and their effect on employee burnout. Findings The results showed that a partner’s WFH practice plays a significant role in the relationship between WFH and burnout. This effect is stronger for individuals whose partners work a hybrid schedule (partly WFH and partly WFO), leading to higher WFC and job stress. Originality/value This paper contributes to a better understanding of WFH-related burnout by exploring one’s partner’s WFH practice and how this can complicate the remote work experience for some employees. By integrating these variables with WFC and job stress as mediators within a single conceptual model, we provide a comprehensive view of their interrelationships, offering valuable insights for both research and practice.