The Impact of Gig Work Flexibility on Work-Life Balance: Evidence from Generation Z Workers in Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines three dimensions of gig work flexibility  — time flexibility, schedule flexibility, and place flexibility on work-life balance (WLB) among Generation Z gig workers in Indonesia. Previous studies have generally reported a negative relationship between gig work flexibility and work-life balance, largely attributed to income dependency and algorithmic constraints inherent in platform-based labor markets.This study used a quantitative explanatory design with a cross-sectional survey. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed to Generation Z gig workers across Indonesia via purposive sampling; after data cleaning, 200 valid responses were retained and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4. WLB was operationalized as a unidimensional construct following, with item content adapted from established work/nonwork interference and enhancement item pools. Results indicate that all three flexibility dimensions exert positive and statistically significant effects on WLB: time flexibility (beta = 0.329, t = 6.145, p < 0.001), schedule flexibility (beta = 0.382, t = 6.679, p < 0.001), and place flexibility (beta = 0.446, t = 8.393, p < 0.001), with the three dimensions collectively explaining 37.8 percent of the variance in WLB (R-squared = 0.378). These findings provide context-specific evidence that flexibility acts as a work resource rather than a source of precarity for Indonesian Generation Z gig workers, contrasting with findings from more economically dependent gig worker populations. The study contributes to the growing literature on gig work in developing economies and offers practical insights for platform operators and policymakers seeking to enhance worker well-being through flexibility-centered interventions.