The Role of Financial Literacy in Supporting Employee Work-Life Balance

Authors

  • Jaysone Christopher M. Bancoro College of Business Administration, Negros Oriental State University Dumaguete City, Philippines
  • Reli Maria L. Barillo College of Business Administration, Negros Oriental State University Dumaguete City, Philippines
  • Dee Laila C. Buhian College of Business Administration, Negros Oriental State University Dumaguete City, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.015

Keywords:

Employee well-being, Financial literacy, Financial stress, Work-life balance, Workplace flexibility

Abstract

Balancing work and family responsibilities is a significant challenge for employees in today's dynamic workplace. Financial literacy empowers employees to manage finances effectively, reducing stress and improving focus. It fosters better decision-making, enhances financial security, and promotes a healthier work-life balance. This study examines how financial literacy influences employees' work-life balance by mitigating financial stress and supporting well-being, job satisfaction, and effectiveness. Utilizing a correlational descriptive design, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 140 and 8 faculty members and staff, respectively, from different colleges in one state university through surveys and interviews to analyze the relationship between financial literacy and work-life balance. Results indicate that employees have financial literacy, with an average score on knowledge at 8.35 (SD = 3.13), positive attitudes (M = 3.99, SD = 0.73), and positive financial behaviors (M = 3.94, SD = 0.58). Qualitative findings indicate that employees have acknowledged the relevance of financial planning tools but may have problems with complex financial ideas and a form of hesitancy about long-term financial goals. Correlation analysis revealed a weak association between financial literacy and work-life balance (rho = 0.11) and was not statistically significant (p = 0.191). Despite work-life balance policies, challenges related to heavy workloads, financial pressure, and limited personal time remain. These results indicate that targeted financial education programs and increased workplace flexibility are required to reduce stress and support employee well- being.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alcover, C., Salgado, S., Nazar, G., Ramírez-Vielma, R., & González-Suhr, C. (2020). Job insecurity, financial threat and mental health in the COVID-19 context: The buffer role of perceived social support. medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory). https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.31.20165910

Bai, R. (2023). Impact of financial literacy, mental budgeting and self control on financial wellbeing: Mediating impact of investment decision making. PLoS ONE, 18(11), e0294466. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294466

Barck-Holst, P., Nilsonne, Å., Åkerstedt, T., & Hellgren, C. (2020). Reduced working hours and work-life balance. Nordic Social Work Research, 12(4), 450–463. https://doi.org/10.1080/2156857x.2020.1839784

Brown, H., Kim, J. S., & Faerman, S. R. (2019). The influence of societal and organizational culture on the use of work-life balance programs: A comparative analysis of the United States and the Republic of Korea. The Social Science Journal, 58(1), 62–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soscij.2019.03.008

Choi, S. L., Heo, W., Cho, S. H., & Lee, P. (2020). The links between job insecurity, financial well‐being and financial stress: A moderated mediation model. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 44(4), 353–360. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12571

Chong, K. F., Sabri, M. F., Magli, A. S., Rahim, H. A., Mokhtar, N., & Othman, M. A. (2021). The effects of financial literacy, Self-Efficacy and Self-Coping on financial behavior of emerging adults. Journal of Asian Finance Economics and Business, 8(3), 905–915. https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2021.vol8.no3.0905

Cochran, W. G. (1977). Sampling techniques (3rd ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons. https://tinyurl.com/mr23mcaz

Czech, K., Ochnio, L., Wielechowski, M., & Zabolotnyy, S. (2024). Financial Literacy: Identification of the Challenges, Needs, and Difficulties among Adults Living in Rural Areas.

Agriculture, 14(10), 1705. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14101705

Doh, J., Budhwar, P., & Wood, G. (2021). Long-term energy transitions and international business: Concepts, theory, methods, and a research agenda. Journal of Internationa l Business Studies, 52(5), 951–970. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-021-00405-6

Eloriaga, E. F., Roxas, E. R. F., Cuaresma, P. J. R., & Cabauatan, R. R. (2022). A study on financial literacy and financial behavior of young professionals in Metro Manila. International Journal of Research in Engineering, Science and Management, 5(1), 226-236. https://journal.ijresm.com/index.php/ijresm/article/view/1713

Fazal, S., Masood, S., Nazir, F., & Majoka, M. I. (2022). Individual and Organizational Strategies for Promoting Work–Life Balance for Sustainable Workforce: A Systematic Literature Review from Pakistan. Sustainability, 14(18), 11552. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811552

Galapon, A., & Bool, N. C. (2022). Effects of financial literacy and financial behavior on the financial well-being of teachers in higher education institutions in Region 1, Philippines.

International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 11(9), 150–157. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v11i9.2188 Goyal, K., & Kumar, S. (2021). Financial literacy: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 45(1), 80-105.

Hu, M., Lin, Z., & Liu, Y. (2024). Financial literacy and mortgage stress. Journal of Banking & Finance, 163, 107170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2024.107170

Iannello, P., Sorgente, A., Lanz, M., & Antonietti, A. (2020). Financial Well-Being and Its Relationship with Subjective and Psychological Well-Being Among Emerging Adults: Testing the Moderating Effect of Individual Differences. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22(3), 1385–1411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00277-x

Jabar, M. A., & Delayco, M. L. C. (2021). Impulse Buying and Financial Literacy Among Public Elementary and High School Teachers in the Philippines. DLSU Business & Economics Review, 31(1). https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/DLSUBER.2021.July_.4jabar.pdf

Jaggar, S., & Navlakhi, L. (2021). Financial Wellbeing-The missing piece in holistic wellbeing. NHRD Network Journal, 14(1), 83–94. https://doi.org/10.1177/2631454120980600

Jumady, E., Alam, S., Hasbiyadi, H., Fajriah, Y., & Anggraini, Y. (2024). The Effect of Financial planning on Consumer Debt Management: The role of Financial Literacy, Self-Efficacy, and Financial Motivation. ATESTASI Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi, 7(1), 340–368. https://doi.org/10.57178/atestasi.v7i1.793

Kaiser, T., & Menkhoff, L. (2020). Financial education in schools: A meta-analysis of experimental studies. Economics of Education Review, 78, 101930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2019.101930

Kurtuluş, E., Kurtuluş, H. Y., Birel, S., & Batmaz, H. (2023). The Effect of Social Support on Work-Life Balance: The Role of Psychological Well-Being. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 10(1), 239–249. https://doi.org/10.33200/ijcer.1152323

Lestari, S. D., Muhdaliha, E., Firdaus, P. M., Suhendra, E. S., & Brabo, N. A. (2024). Financial Literacy at Work: Enhancing Organizational Performance through Employee Training Investments. ATESTASI Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi, 7(2), 721–741. https://doi.org/10.57178/atestasi.v7i2.865

Lestari, S. D., Muhdaliha, E., Firdaus, P. M., Suhendra, E. S., & Brabo, N. A. (2024b). Financial Literacy at Work: Enhancing Organizational Performance through Employee Training Investments. ATESTASI Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi, 7(2), 721–741. https://doi.org/10.57178/atestasi.v7i2.865

Liu, T., Gao, J., Zhu, M., & Jin, S. (2021). Women’s Work-Life Balance in Hospitality: Examining its Impact on Organizational commitment. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.625550

Lone, U. M., & Bhat, S. A. (2022). Impact of financial literacy on financial well-being: a mediational role of financial self-efficacy. Journal of Financial Services Marketing, 29(1), 122–137. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41264-022-00183-8

Marques, V. C., & Berry, G. R. (2021). Enhancing work‐life balance using a resilience framework. Business and Society Review, 126(3), 263–281. https://doi.org/10.1111/basr.12237 Mata, O. G. (2021). The effect of financial literacy and gender on retirement planning among young adults. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 39(7), 1068–1090.

https://doi.org/10.1108/ijbm-10-2020-0518

Mawad, J. L., Athari, S. A., Khalife, D., & Mawad, N. (2022). Examining the Impact of Financial Literacy, Financial Self-Control, and Demographic Determinants on Individual Financial Performance and Behavior: An Insight from the Lebanese Crisis Period. Sustainability, 14(22), 15129. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14221512

Mukhtar, F., Shahid, M., & Khokhar, S. G. (2022). Impact of Financial Condition on Work Life Balance and New Knowledge Acquisition: A Case of Pakistan. Academic Journal of Social Sciences (AJSS), 6(2), 001-024. https://doi.org/10.54692/ajss.2022.621683

Muñoz-Céspedes, E., Ibar-Alonso, R., & De Lorenzo Ros, S. (2021). Financial literacy and sustainable consumer behavior. Sustainability, 13(16), 9145. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169145 Nyambita, D. (2023). The effect of employee well being on the individual workers performance in higher learning instituation in Tanzania (Doctoral dissertation).

http://dspace.iaa.ac.tz:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2290

Pahuriray, A. V., & Algara, R. O. (2021). Mobile-based PhilNITS reviewer design: Its functionality, reliability, usability and efficiency. Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5726596

Palma, C. V. (2021). Work-Life balance and avoiding burnout. In Springer eBooks (pp. 299–307). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59335-3_38

Rahman, M., Isa, C. R., Masud, M. M., Sarker, M., & Chowdhury, N. T. (2021). The role of financial behaviour, financial literacy, and financial stress in explaining the financial well-being of B40 group in Malaysia. Future Business Journal, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-021-00099-0

Raut, R. K. (2020). Past behaviour, financial literacy and investment decision-making process of individual investors. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 15(6), 1243–1263. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoem-07-2018-0379

Rehman, Z. U., Seman, N. a. A., & Harun, A. (2023). Exploring the significance of Malaysian consumers’ intentions to purchase green products. Journal of International Business Economics and Entrepreneurship, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.24191/jibe.v8i2.23562

Rosso, V. F., Muñoz-Pascual, L., & Galende, J. (2024). Do managers need to worry about employees’ financial stress? A review of two decades of research. Human Resource Management Review, 34(3), 101030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2024.101030

Ryu, S., & Fan, L. (2022). The relationship between financial worries and psychological distress among U.S. adults. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 44(1), 16–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-022-09820-9

Setiawan, M., Effendi, N., Santoso, T., Dewi, V. I., & Sapulette, M. S. (2020). Digital financial literacy, current behavior of saving and spending and its future foresight. Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 31(4), 320–338. https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2020.1799142

She, L., Ma, L., Sharif, S. P., & Karim, S. (2024). Millennials’ financial behaviour and financial well-being: the moderating role of future orientation. Journal of Financial Services Marketing. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41264-024-00281-9

Stankevičienė, A., Tamaševičius, V., Diskienė, D., Grakauskas, Ž., & Rudinskaja, L. (2021). The Mediating Effect Of Work-Life Balance On The Relationship Between Work Culture And Employee Well-Being. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 22(4), 988–1007. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2021.14729

Strough, J., Wilson, J., & De Bruin, W. B. (2020). Aging and financial decision making. In Springer eBooks (pp. 167–186). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45500-2_8

Taber, K. S. (2018). The use of Cronbach’s alpha when developing and reporting research instruments in science education. Research in Science Education, 48(5), 1273–1296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-016-9602-2

Talukder, A. K. M. M. H., & Galang, M. C. (2021). Supervisor Support for Employee Performance in Australia: Mediating role of Work‐Life Balance, job, and life attitude. Journal of Employment Counseling, 58(1), 2–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/joec.12154

Tambosi, J., Junior, Gomes, G., De Montreuil Carmona, L. J., & Tambosi, S. S. V. (2021). Organisational culture and work–life balance as facilitators of service innovation: study in a technology knowledge-intensive business services firm. International Journal of Innovation Management, 25(07). https://doi.org/10.1142/s1363919621300026

Trógolo, M. A., Moretti, L. S., & Medrano, L. A. (2022). A nationwide cross-sectional study of workers’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Impact of changes in working conditions, financial hardships, psychological detachment from work and work-family interface. BMC Psychology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00783-y

Vieira, K. M., De Jesus Moreira Júnior, F., & Potrich, A. C. G. (2020). Measuring financial literacy: proposition of an instrument based on the Item Response Theory. Ciência E Natura, 42, e38. https://doi.org/10.5902/2179460x39864

Wayne, J. H., Matthews, R., Crawford, W., & Casper, W. J. (2019). Predictors and processes of satisfaction with work–family balance: Examining the role of personal, work, and family resources and conflict and enrichment. Human Resource Management, 59(1), 25–42. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.21971

Downloads

Published

2025-02-13

How to Cite

Bancoro, J. C., Barillo, R. M., & Buhian , D. L. (2025). The Role of Financial Literacy in Supporting Employee Work-Life Balance. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3(3), 172–185. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.015