WORK-LIFE BALANCE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE APPLICATION OF ALTERNATIVE WORK ARRANGEMENTS

The pandemic caused by the spread of the Covid-19 virus has changed not only the way people work but has also affected the functioning of families and people's social lives. Work-life balance is a topic that has been getting a lot of attention lately. What is meant by achieving a balance between work life and private life represents a wide range for all involved stakeholders, including employees, managers, and employers. The worklife balance is significantly different in the context of the observed period, and consequently, it records significant changes in perception and sense of balance compared to some other periods. The Covid-19 pandemic is forcing an ever-wider application of alternative workplace arrangements, and it is necessary to consider the implications for work-life balance. Alternative work arrangements often refer to flexible work arrangements; they can vary and combine depending on the place, time, and work forms (work hours, location, shifts, etc.). Work-life balance has become an even more important influencing factor on job satisfaction, shaping other attitudes toward work, organizations, and the workplace at the same time. This paper critically examines previous research on work-life balance experiences. It emphasizes the potential role of the application of alternative workplace arrangements in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic on the work-life balance. In addition, some of the practical goals include the comparison of the data of the Republic of Croatia to that of other countries. A special focus of the paper is directed at analyzing the need for changes in terms of organizing future work and creating the concept of balance through setting clear and realistic goals and expectations regarding concrete results. Achieving a work-life balance during unpredictable circumstances such as Covid-19 is far more challenging and brings into concern the need to identify new economic, social, or demographic challenges that should remain an issue that the organization will not stop dealing with.