An Empirical Study of Job Satisfaction and Work-Life Balance Among Indian Higher Education Faculty

Abstract

Faculty members in Indian higher education institutions today face increasing challenges in balancing their professional and personal lives. The growing demands of teaching, research, administrative responsibilities, and student engagement combined with institutional pressures have intensified work-related stress and impacted job satisfaction. This research paper explores the relationship between work-life balance (WLB) and job satisfaction among faculty in India, using insights from existing literature and review-based observations. The study highlights how gender roles, excessive workload, lack of institutional support, and differences between public and private institutions influence WLB. Findings suggest that women faculty, especially those with caregiving responsibilities, are disproportionately affected. Faculty in private institutions report lower levels of autonomy and higher stress. A positive correlation was observed between better work-life balance and higher job satisfaction, motivation, and retention.This paper recommends flexible work policies, reduced administrative burden, gender-sensitive support systems, and wellness initiatives to improve faculty well-being. By addressing these issues, higher education institutions can foster a more productive, motivated, and satisfied academic workforce. These insights are particularly relevant for shaping institutional reforms and HR policies aimed at enhancing academic excellence in India’s dynamic higher education sector. It also delves into the varying experiences of work-life balance challenges across different genders, types of institutions (public versus private), and academic fields. A significant insight reveals that faculty members in private colleges and universities frequently face heavier workloads, stricter timelines, evaluation systems focused on performance metrics, and restricted autonomy in decision-making. These conditions contribute to increased stress levels, greater risk of burnout, and lower overall job satisfaction. Gender dynamics further influence these challenges, with societal expectations and responsibilities disproportionately affecting certain groups, particularly women.