Work–Life Balance of Public Sector Bank Employees in Afghanistan: A Comprehensive Review of Global Evidence and Contextual Challenges

Abstract

Work–life balance (WLB) has emerged as a crucial factor influencing employee well-being and organizational effectiveness in contemporary workplaces. This review paper synthesizes global theoretical and empirical literature on WLB with particular focus on public sector banking environments to develop contextual insights relevant to Afghanistan. Existing studies indicate that banking employees commonly face long working hours, heavy workloads, limited flexibility, and weak institutional support, resulting in work–life conflict, stress, and reduced job satisfaction. Comparative evidence from developing economies further highlights that bureaucratic rigidity and inadequate human resource policies hinder effective implementation of WLB initiatives. However, scholarly research on WLB in Afghanistan’s public banking sector remains absent, revealing a significant contextual research gap. This review consolidates dominant theoretical perspectives and sector-specific challenges to provide a conceptual foundation for future empirical investigations. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for employee-centered human resource reforms to enhance well-being, productivity, and institutional effectiveness in Afghanistan’s public banks.

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