Flexible work arrangements in the eyes of Indonesian

Background: Many institutions in Indonesia, including government agencies, require employees to work long hours, which can negatively affect their physical and mental well-being. Flexible work arrangements (FWAs) have been proposed as a potential solution to mitigate these impacts.Purpose: This study aims to explore Indonesian workers’ understanding, sentiments, and expectations regarding FWAs and assess their perceptions of current flexibility versus their expectations.Method: One hundred participants (38 males, 62 females) completed the study's online questionnaire. A qualitative text-mining approach was used to analyze open-ended survey responses to explore the meaning and sentiment of FWAs. Additionally, a closed-ended questionnaire assessed participants' perceptions of their current work flexibility and expectations for greater flexibility.Findings: Participants associated FWAs with the freedom to manage their work schedule and location according to their responsibilities and workload. Sentiment analysis revealed positive and hopeful attitudes, with participants expressing trust in FWAs’ potential benefits. Closed-ended data indicated that participants perceived their current work conditions as moderately flexible but desired even greater flexibility.Implication: The findings underscore the importance of FWAs for enhancing employee well-being and suggest actionable insights for policymakers and organizations seeking to implement or expand FWAs in Indonesia.