Authors: Mehazabeen Anjum Mansoori Assistant Professor, Vikas Sahu, Abhishek Sahu
Abstract: Within the current post-pandemic corporate environment, the conventional approach to inflexible five-day working weeks has undergone a complete metamorphosis. In response to fast-paced technological development, changing worker attitudes and socio-economic dynamics, flexible work arrangements have moved beyond the boundaries of innovative benefits into the very foundation of human resource management strategy. This empirical study explores the multi-faceted influence of flexible work arrangements on the retention rate of employees within medium and large-scale enterprises. Based on the theories of social exchange, job demands-resources, and self-determination, this study seeks to understand the influence of multiple dimensions of flexibility on organizational commitment, job satisfaction, employee autonomy, work-life balance and the subsequent voluntary turnover intentions. By applying a quantitative and descriptive research methodology, data were collected using a structured cross-sectional survey among N = 380 full-time corporate employees in the technology, financial services, health care administration, and professional business services industries. Inferential statistics such as the Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression models, and two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) show a significant negative association between structured flexibility and voluntary turnover intentions. In particular, the predictors of sustained organizational commitment were schedule autonomy and location flexibility, with the help of less burnout and job satisfaction. However, there are some key boundary conditions, since unstructured flexibility without policy boundaries causes more work-life boundaries crossing and thus increases psychological exhaustion and decreases the effectiveness of retention strategy. In conclusion, the paper offers strategic recommendations to the HR managers, suggesting that it is necessary to develop a personalized framework for flexibility management in order to maintain employees' retention.
