Work–life balance and perceived time poverty of employees: An evaluation of female employees at Eskişehir universities

This study aims to contribute to the existing literature by focusing on the relatively underexplored relationship between work–life balance and time poverty among female employees in Türkiye. The primary objective is to determine the work–life balance levels of women employed at universities in Eskişehir, to examine the relationship between perceived time poverty and work–life balance, and to reveal how these two constructs differ across demographic variables. In doing so, the research contributes to understanding women's experiences of work–life imbalance not only at an individual level but also within structural and institutional contexts. The population of the study consists of all female employees working at Anadolu University, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, and Eskişehir Technical University. The sample includes 259 voluntary participants who completed an online survey between February and May 2025. The data collection instrument comprised a demographic information form, the validated and reliable Work–Life Balance Scale, and the Time Poverty Scale. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 30, employing reliability analyses, normality tests, non-parametric group comparisons, Spearman correlation, and multiple regression analyses. The findings indicate that women with lower work–life balance levels report significantly higher perceptions of time poverty. Furthermore, demographic factors such as number of children, caregiving responsibilities, and working hours create significant differences in both work–life balance and time poverty perceptions. These results provide valuable insights for the development of institutional policies aimed at alleviating time pressure on women employees and promoting a more balanced work–life experience. Keywords: Work–Life Balance, Time Poverty, Gender Equality, Female Employees.