Global Journal of Management and Business Research, A: Administration and Management, Volume 22 Issue 4

Impact of Work from Home (WFH) on the Work- Life Balance of Professionals Working in the Telecommunications and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Sector: An Exploratory Study in Bangladesh Abstract- Purpose: This study explores the impact of work from home on the work-life balance of professionals mainly in two sectors and also finds out the preference for work modality. Design/methodology/approach: We adopted a qualitative research design using a multiple case study method collecting data from six respondents working in different companies in Bangladesh. Findings: The findings show that work from home has negative impacts on the work-life balance of professionals, and it also shows that the hybrid modality gives the best work-life balance for employees and is preferred by all. Research limitations: The research is conducted in only two sectors with a few employees. There is scope to expand the research base. Practical Implications: The research could bring out the negative factors from work from home, which organisations can seek to resolve to give a better work-life balance to their employees. We also suggested that a hybrid modality in these two sectors can provide employees with a better work-life balance. Author α σ ρ : IBA, Jahangirnagar University. e-mails: animmashruk70@gmail.com, saif.nazmus.2108@gmail.com , trnushin@gmail.com respiratory droplets and hence is considered to spread through close contact with other people. Many business organisations have inclined towards work from home policies to prevent this and save economic activities from being idle for prolonged periods. In some countries, work from home was already in existence. However, several countries, such as Bangladesh, quickly adapted to this shift in work environment dynamics. In some countries, the government enforces the work from home policy. In others, businesses took the first step toward it to keep business operations running. Bangladesh has a vast, dense population being a lower-middle-income country. When the pandemic broke out, like other countries, Bangladesh was forced to take preventative measures such as travel bans, country lockdown, remote work initiatives and social isolation. The sudden standstill in all sectors dealt a severe blow to the economy and devastated the lives of numerous people. Organisations were forced to introduce work from policies to revive the economy. Although work from home is anything but a new concept in foreign countries, Bangladesh companies found it a step further when enforced during the pandemic. However, many companies enthusiastically adopted this new work policy. BRAC was the first organisation in Bangladesh to implement a work from home policy for its head office, which had 2000+ employees. Others followed its steps, and Bangladesh's working environment lifted to a new level. The CEO of Shanta Asset Management claims that they successfully adopted work from the home policy, being a research- based and focus oriented company. On the other hand, the CEO of Renata Limited claims that even though the work from home policy enabled them to avoid traffic, they still did not enjoy working from home. The MD of Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited termed working from home as a new experience and a challenge because of work and home responsibilities intertwining. According to the CEO of Omera Fuels, the flexibility and distraction-free atmosphere offered by work from the 71 Global Journal of Management and Business Research Volume XXII Issue IV Version I Year 2022 ( ) A © 2022 Global Journals Abdullah Al Mashruk α , Nazmus Saif σ & Tahsin Reza Nushin ρ Keywords: work from home, work-life balance, impacts, telecommunications, fast-moving consumer goods . I. I ntroduction ith the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic having hit people all over the world, society has been beset with a variety of issues and challenges involving work, leisure, essential travel etc. It has had an immense impact on the world's economic state due to putting a stop to economic activities for an extended period. While there was much anticipation and several warnings, particularly those in the public health field, the transition was difficult. It needed preparation, training, and facilitation. COVID-19 was identified in 2019 as a virus that transmits to humans through W