Flexible work arrangements and employee performance: Unpacking the mediating role of work-life balance among employees

Despite growing interest in flexible work arrangements (FWAs), their effects on employee performance in the Malaysian construction industry, particularly the mediating role of work life balance (WLB), remain insufficiently explored. A total of 306 construction employees in Sarawak, Malaysia, were surveyed using structured questionnaires that were distributed through a simple random sampling method. The responses were subsequently analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results indicate that WLB played a significant mediating role in determining whether FWAs have a positive impact on employee performance. This study offers valuable insights for organisations seeking to improve workplace learning, employee satisfaction, and performance through the implementation of effective FWAs. However, the study is limited by the need for further exploration of policy implications and management strategies to establish supportive conditions for FWAs. The study makes a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting the importance of FWAs and WLB in enhancing employee performance, particularly in the Malaysian construction sector.