<![CDATA[Abstract – This study conducts a systematic literature review to examine how work–life balance (WLB) practices influence employee outcomes in the global banking sector. Purpose – The study aims to understand the relationship between WLB initiatives, such as flexible scheduling, leave policies, and supervisor support, and their effects on employee satisfaction, performance, retention, and well-being. The research focuses on the banking sector as a high-pressure industry with cross-cultural contexts spanning Asia and Europe. Novelty – The novelty of this research lies in its comparative approach, synthesizing evidence from both Asian and Western banking sectors. Unlike prior single-country studies, this review highlights how cultural and institutional contexts mediate the effectiveness of WLB practices, thereby extending established theories such as the Job Demands–Resources model and Work–Life Border Theory. Method – A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using Scopus and Google Scholar, covering publications from 2010 to 2025. Following PRISMA guidelines, 42 peer-reviewed studies were selected and thematically synthesized to capture common WLB practices, employee outcomes, and cross-cultural variations. Findings – The review finds that WLB practices generally have a positive impact on job satisfaction, performance, and retention. However, their effectiveness varies: in Western contexts such as Australia and Poland, institutionalized flexibility and supervisory support strengthen outcomes, whereas in Asian contexts like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan, hierarchical norms and long-hour expectations often limit the impact of WLB policies. Limitations and Implications – The study is limited to English and Indonesian peer-reviewed sources and primarily cross-sectional evidence, restricting insights into long-term effects. The findings provide practical implications for banking institutions and policymakers, underscoring the need to embed WLB into strategic human resource management and to strengthen regulatory frameworks in emerging economies.]]>
