Flexible Work Arrangements, Decent Work and Employee Productivity in the Public Service: A Qualitative-Informed Scoping Review

Abstract

Flexible work arrangements (FWAs) have become increasingly relevant to public service organizations seeking to balance employee well-being, decent work, and organizational productivity. However, the implications of FWAs for productivity in the public sector remain complex, particularly because flexibility must be considered alongside employment quality, institutional requirements, and service delivery responsibilities. This study aims to map and synthesize existing literature on the relationships among FWAs, decent work, and employee productivity in public service settings. A scoping review approach was employed using literature retrieved from Scopus and Google Scholar. The search and screening process identified 28 studies for inclusion in the review. The findings indicate that FWAs may support employee productivity by improving work–life balance, autonomy, job satisfaction, and employees’ capacity to manage work demands. Nevertheless, these potential benefits depend on organizational conditions, including managerial support, access to appropriate technology, workload distribution, performance evaluation practices, and the nature of public service tasks. The review also highlights the importance of decent work as a complementary analytical perspective, particularly in examining whether flexible arrangements are accompanied by fair working conditions, employee well-being, and adequate organizational support. The evidence suggests that flexibility should not be treated as an automatic determinant of higher productivity; rather, its outcomes are shaped by the interaction between employee needs and institutional arrangements. This review contributes to the discussion of human resource management in the public sector by bringing together flexibility, decent work, and productivity within a single analytical framework. It also identifies the need for further empirical research that distinguishes perceived productivity from measurable organizational and public service outcomes.