Comparative Analysis of Job Satisfaction and Work-Life Balance in Remote vs. Office Workers: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

This study investigated the comparative levels of job satisfaction, work-life balance, stress levels, and personal productivity between remote and office workers through a cross-sectional survey of 1,200 employees across various industries. Remote workers reported higher job satisfaction (Mean = 4.1, SD = 0.8) and better work-life balance (Mean = 3.9, SD = 0.9) compared to office workers, who had mean scores of 3.8 (SD = 0.7) and 3.6 (SD = 0.8), respectively. Stress levels were lower among remote workers (Mean = 3.2, SD = 0.7) than office workers (Mean = 3.5, SD = 0.8), and remote workers also demonstrated higher personal productivity (Mean = 4.3, SD = 0.6) compared to office workers (Mean = 4.1, SD = 0.5). These findings suggest that remote work offers significant benefits in terms of flexibility and autonomy, contributing to higher job satisfaction and work-life balance, while reducing stress and enhancing productivity. However, potential drawbacks such as isolation and blurred boundaries between work and personal life warrant attention. The cross-sectional design of this study, while effective in capturing a broad range of data, limits the ability to observe long-term trends. Self-reported data introduce biases that could affect the accuracy of the findings. Future research should consider longitudinal approaches and objective measures to build on these insights.