Received:
2025-05-11 | Accepted:
2025-09-25 | Published:
2025-12-30
Title
Generational predictors of job satisfaction in the context of flexible work arrangements
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the predictors of job satisfaction in the context of flexible working conditions across Generations X, Y, and Z. The research questions focused on identifying significant factors influencing satisfaction and examining generational differences in their perception. The quantitative research was conducted through an online questionnaire among respondents in Slovakia, with the data analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that all the observed generations exhibit statistically significant predictors of job satisfaction, although their structure differs. In Generation X, the most important roles were played by work-life balance and mental health; in Generation Y, motivation and engagement dominated; and Generation Z was influenced by a combination of motivation, psychological well-being, and private life. An important finding was that the variable ‘motivation and engagement’ had a significant effect across all generations, while the other factors displayed generational specificity. In conclusion, it can be stated that flexible working conditions represent an important tool for supporting employee satisfaction, the effectiveness of which depends on adaptation to the specific needs of individual age cohorts. The research also provides recommendations for the creation of individualized HR strategies reflecting the value-based and lifestyle preferences of different generations of workers.
Keywords
job satisfaction, flexible work arrangements, generational differences, work-life balance, employee motivation
JEL classifications
J28
, J21
, J81
, M54
, M12
URI
http://jssidoi.org/jesi/article/1369
DOI
Pages
207-221
Funding
This research work was created within the project “Value orientation and expectations of Generation Z in relation to higher education in the context of Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín“, code of project D07_2024, based on the financial support from the European Union within the call Early Stage Grants of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (Code of the project: 09I03-03-V05-00010, Component 9: More effective management and strengthening of research, development and innovation funding), and with the financial support of the Internal Grant Scheme of the Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín and research project No. APVV-VV-MVP-24-0299 - New trends in human resource management in the context of global challenges of the 21st century.
This is an open access issue and all published articles are licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
References
Akbar, A. F., & Amalia, I. (2023). Exploring the impact of flexible work arrangements, social support, gender, and job category on the work-life balance of Generation Z workers. Insight: Jurnal Ilmiah Psikologi, 25(2), 159-173. https://doi.org/10.26486/psikologi.v25i2.3315
Search via ReFindit
Aura, N. A. M., & Desiana, P. M. (2023). Flexible Working Arrangements and Work-Family Culture Effects on Job Satisfaction: The Mediation Role of Work-Family Conflicts among Female Employees. Jurnal Manajemen Teori Dan Terapan | Journal of Theory and Applied Management, 16(2), 381-398. https://doi.org/10.20473/jmtt.v16i2.45960
Search via ReFindit
Baša, K., Machová, R., Baša, P., & Doležaiová, V. (2023). Comparative Analysis of the Workplace Expectations of Generations Y and Z. Acta Polytechnica Hungarica, 20(3), 211-230. https://doi.org/10.12700/APH.20.3.2023.3.13
Search via ReFindit
Berkery, E., Peretz, H., Tiernan, S., & Morley, M. J. (2024). The impact of flexi-time uptake on organizational outcomes and the moderating role of formal and informal institutions across 22 countries. European Management Journal, S0263237324000690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2024.05.007
Search via ReFindit
Bujáki, J., & Vinogradov, S. (2024). Factors of the adaptation and change skills of Hungarian micro and small enterprises. Journal of Management. https://doi.org/10.38104/vadyba.2024.2.06
Search via ReFindit
Czerwińska-Lubszczyk, A., & Jankowiak, N. (2025). Motivation in The Workplace – A Generational Perspective. Management Systems in Production Engineering, 33(1), 100-114. https://doi.org/10.2478/mspe-2025-0011
Search via ReFindit
Deas, A., & Coetzee, M. (2022). A value-oriented psychological contract: Generational differences amidst a global pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 921184. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.921184
Search via ReFindit
Egerová, D., Komárková, L., & Kutlák, J. (2021). Generation y and generation z employment expectations: a generational cohort comparative study from two countries. E+M Ekonomie a Management, 24(3), 93-109. https://doi.org/10.15240/tul/001/2021-03-006
Search via ReFindit
Febriana, A., & Mujib, M. (2024). Increasing Productivity of Gen Z Employees: The Role of Flexible Work Arrangements and Participative Style. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 22. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v22i0.2489
Search via ReFindit
Govender, L., O., M. S., & K., K. A. (2018). Flexible Work Arrangements, Job Satisfaction and Performance. Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, 10(3(J)), 268-277. https://doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v10i3.2333
Search via ReFindit
Habánik, J., Šrámka, M., & Rigó, R. (2024). Work performance and work from home: theoretical development. Journal of Management, 40(1). https://doi.org/10.38104/vadyba.2024.1.04
Search via ReFindit
Hasim, M. A., Mahbob, N. N., & Che Musa, N. (2024). The Impact of Leadership Styles, Flexible Working Arrangements, Rewards, and Organizational Culture on Employee Job Satisfaction: Evidence from Selected Commercial Banks in Johor, Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, 14(4), 1426-1440. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARAFMS/v14-i4/24345
Search via ReFindit
Indradewa, R., & Prasetio, A. A. (2023). The influence of flexible working arrangements and work-life balance on job satisfaction: A double-layered moderated mediation model. Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 26(2), 449-476. https://doi.org/10.24914/jeb.v26i2.9551
Search via ReFindit
Ivanova, E., Lemanska-Majdzik, A., Okreglicka, M., & Navickas V. (2023). The level and changes of digital skills in generation Z – The perspective of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Transformations in Business & Economics, Vol. 22, No 3A (60A), pp.691-702.
Search via ReFindit
Joesah, N., Latumahina, J., & Armaniah, H. (2025). The influence of work flexibility and leadership on work engagement of generation Z with job satisfaction as an intervening variable. Journal of Economics and Business, 6(02), 118-130. https://jecombi.seaninstitute.or.id/index.php/JECOMBI/article/view/114
Search via ReFindit
Jung, H.-S., & Yoon, H.-H. (2021). Generational Effects of Workplace Flexibility on Work Engagement, Satisfaction, and Commitment in South Korean Deluxe Hotels. Sustainability, 13(16), 9143. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13169143
Search via ReFindit
Lee, S. H., Chong, C. W., & Ojo, A. O. (2024). Influence of workplace flexibility on employee engagement among young generation. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 2309705. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2309705
Search via ReFindit
Manchidi, N. H. (2025). Entrepreneurship education as an intervention solution to youth unemployment in South Africa. Insights into Regional Development, 7(2), 67-83. https://doi.org/10.70132/j5256343756
Search via ReFindit
Maya, C. E., & Londoño, S. J. (2024). Determinants of Workplace Flextime Flexibility: An Empirical Analysis (Version 1). arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/ARXIV.2409.14271
Search via ReFindit
Medina-Garrido, J. A., Biedma-Ferrer, J. M., & Ramos-Rodriguez, A. R. (2024). Relationship between work-family balance, employee well-being and job performance. https://doi.org/10.48550/ARXIV.2401.13683
Search via ReFindit
Pacheco, E. (2025). Experiences and attitudes toward working remotely from home in a time of pandemic: A snapshot from a New Zealand-based online survey. https://doi.org/10.48550/ARXIV.2501.02418
Search via ReFindit
Pradipta, D., Adzani, R. A., & Perkasa, D. H. (2025). The Influence of Work Flexibility on Job Satisfaction and Performance of Generation Z. Journal of Applied Business Administration, 9(1), 133-144. https://doi.org/10.30871/jaba.9310
Search via ReFindit
Russo, D., Hanel, P. H. P., Altnickel, S., & van Berkel, N. (2021). Satisfaction and Performance of Software Developers during Enforced Work from Home in the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://doi.org/10.48550/ARXIV.2107.07944
Search via ReFindit
Safira, T. D., & Wahyuningsih, S. H. (2024). The Mediating Effect Of Work Life Balance In Explaining The Effect Of Flexible Work Arrangements And Job Satisfaction On Employee Performance. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Economics and Business, ICEB 2023, 2-3 August 2023, Padang, Sumatera Barat, Indonesia. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Economics and Business, ICEB 2023, 2-3 August 2023, Padang, Sumatera Barat, Indonesia, Padang, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.2-8-2023.2341457
Search via ReFindit
Schall, M. A. (2019). The Relationship Between Remote Work and Job Satisfaction: The Mediating Roles of Perceived Autonomy, Work-Family Conflict, and Telecommuting Intensity [Master of Science, San Jose State University]. https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.2x82-58pg
Search via ReFindit
Singh, A. (2023). A Descriptive Interpretation of Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA) and Their Impact on Organizational Outcomes. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences & Humanities, 13(4), 205-217. https://doi.org/10.37648/ijrssh.v13i04.016
Search via ReFindit
Smite, D., Moe, N. B., Hildrum, J., Huerta, J. G., & Mendez, D. (2022). Work-From-Home is Here to Stay: Call for Flexibility in Post-Pandemic Work Policies (Version 1). arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/ARXIV.2203.11136
Search via ReFindit
Stankiewicz-Mróz, A. (2020). Perception of Work Flexibility among Students as Representatives of Generation Z and Employers from the SME Sector. Zarządzanie Zasobami Ludzkimi, 132(1), 49-63. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0013.8778
Search via ReFindit
Sun, L., Mok, L., Sen, S., & Sarrafzadeh, B. (2023). Rhythm of Work: Mixed-methods Characterization of Information Workers Scheduling Preferences and Practices (Version 1). arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/ARXIV.2309.08104
Search via ReFindit
Surugiu, C., Surugiu, M.-R., Grădinaru, C., & Grigore, A.-M. (2025). Factors Motivating Generation Z in the Workplace: Managerial Challenges and Insights. Administrative Sciences, 15(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15010029
Search via ReFindit
Tshabalala, T. (2022). Generational Differences and Importance of Workplace Flexibility [Master’s thesis, University of the Witwatersrand]. https://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/3a056cf3-892b-4646-ae58-40dc7430ccf8/content
Search via ReFindit
Zychová, K., Fejfarová, M., & Jindrová, A. (2024). Job Autonomy as a Driver of Job Satisfaction. Central European Business Review, 13(2), 117-140. https://doi.org/10.18267/j.cebr.347
Search via ReFindit
RSS 1.0