Impact of Work-Life Balance Policies and Practices on Work Engagement of Women Entrepreneurs

Abstract

Women entrepreneurs contribute towards economic development and efficiency; nevertheless, their day-to-day participation in work is limited by their work-life balance (WLB) issues. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of WLB policies such as flexible working hours, parental leave, childcare, mental health support, and financial aid on the work engagement of women entrepreneurs in Rajasthan and adjacent areas. The study applies the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model and uses a quantitative research design in which information is gathered from a sample of women entrepreneurs via structured surveys for analysis. Engagement levels in Vigor, dedication, and absorption are measured through the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), while the correlation rate as well as multiple regression analysis is used to evaluate the connection between WLB policies and engagement results. The analysis shows that the policies have a positive and substantial relationship to work engagement and the strongest predictors of engagement were discovered to be mental health initiatives and parental leave/childcare assistance. Other policies that positively contributed, but not as strongly, were flexible work arrangements and financial assistance. The results suggest that structured WLB policies are associated with higher levels of engagement among entrepreneurs, indicating that there is a gap in institutional support, workplace flexibility, and well-being services that are specifically designed for entrepreneurial environments. This study adds to the limited literature on work-life balance (WLB) and female entrepreneurship by applying the JD-R Model to self-employed women and explaining how job resources contribute to entrepreneurial commitment. There is a need for policymakers and business incubators to pay attention to mental health issues and go beyond parental leave policies and financial support programs to promote sustainable engagement among women entrepreneurs. The results are useful for women entrepreneurship networks, government institutions, and industry constituents aimed at addressing gender imbalances in economic participation and advancing the establishment of women-led businesses. Further studies should look into the processes of WLB policies over time and their impact on engagement in specific industries.