Being healthy and achieving life harmony: The role of hybrid work and the mediating effect of work–family[with pets] conflict

Abstract

Purpose The recent workplace dynamics era allowed many organizations to adopt the hybrid working model. However, despite the growing relevance of telework for diverse outcomes, few studies have explored hybrid work. Therefore, this research was based on the role theory and the job demands-resources model to develop a conceptual model arguing that hybrid work may potentially influence employees’ life harmony and mental health through decreases in work–family conflict. Moreover, answering the call for more studies on the role of families with pets regarding work-life boundaries, it is also proposed that hybrid work may potentially influence employees’ harmony and mental health through decreases in work–[pet]family conflict. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this objective, two studies were conducted. The first was a two-wave study carried out in 2023, involving 376 hybrid workers who completed two online surveys. The second study, also two-wave, was conducted in 2024 and included 479 working adults who participated in the research through online data collection. Findings The findings of the first study showed that individuals working in a hybrid model tended to experience less work–family conflict, consequently increasing their harmony and mental health. The second study also evidenced that those working in a hybrid modality had higher levels of harmony in life and mental health due to decreases in their work–[pet]family conflict. Originality/value The results highlight the importance of this working modality for employees’ mental health and well-being. Plus, it also opens future venues for research regarding work–[pet]family conflict, as it appears to be a relevant construct for modern families and younger generations of working adults.