The right to disconnect: Job demands, burnout, and well-being among female teachers and regulatory policy context

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Abstract

This study examines the impact of job demands, particularly after hours communication, on burnout and well-being among female employees in Kuwait’s Ministry of Education. This study is based on the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and boundary theory (Ashforth et al., 2000; Demerouti & Bakker, 2023). Utilizing a sample of 643 participants, the research employs principal component analysis (PCA) and linear regression to identify key predictors of well-being. Findings reveal that specific job demands, when perceived as manageable challenges, positively associate with well-being. Conversely, poor supervisory relationships significantly detract from well-being, highlighting the critical role of management support. The study highlights the importance of implementing the right to disconnect policy to enhance work-life balance and protect mental health. Implications for policy include improving supervisory relationships, providing boundary management training, and ensuring a balance between job demands and resources. Recommendations for future research include longitudinal studies and cross-cultural comparisons to further explore these dynamics. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on work-life balance and employee rights, offering practical recommendations for policymakers, organizational leaders, and academics.

Keywords: Job Demands, Employee Well-Being, Right to Disconnect, Supervisory Relationships, Work-Life Balance

Authors’ individual contribution: Conceptualization — A.A., A.B., and B.A.; Methodology — A.A. and A.B.; Investigation — A.A. and B.A.; Writing — Original Draft — A.A. and A.B.; Writing — Review & Editing — A.A. and B.A.; Visualization — A.A.; Supervision — A.A.

Declaration of conflicting interests: The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

JEL Classification: J28, M54, I31

Received: 17.09.2024
Revised: 12.12.2024; 01.05.2025
Accepted: 27.05.2025
Published online: 30.05.2025

How to cite this paper: Alkandari, A., Baroun, A., & Alboloushi, B. (2025). The right to disconnect: Job demands, burnout, and well-being among female teachers and regulatory policy context [Special issue]. Journal of Governance & Regulation, 14(2), 299–309. https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv14i2siart8