WORK-LIFE BALANCE PRACTICES ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE OF ACADEMIC STAFF AT CHARTERED PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA

Aquilina Nzisa Mbuvi, Dr. Mary Kamaara

Abstract


In the current world, most employees are grappling with various personal and family responsibilities together with demands at the workplace resulting to workplace conflicts. This in most cases has ended up creating imbalance between the demands of employees' personal lives and workplace demands. The general objective of this study was to assess the effects of work-life balance practices on employee performance of academic staff at chartered private universities in Kenya. The specific objectives were to examine the effect of flexible working arrangements and workload management on employee performance of academic staff at chartered private universities in Kenya. The study used descriptive correlational research design. The target population comprised of the heads of departments from the 25 chartered private universities in Kenya. Data was collected through an online survey using a well-structured questionnaire which was sent to the target respondents via Google Forms. Descriptive and inferential data analysis was done on the quantitative data collected. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive and statistically significant relationship between flexible working arrangements and workload management and employee performance, with a correlation coefficient of, r = 0.533 and r = 0.512 respectively. The regression model indicated that flexible working arrangements accounts for 28.4% of the variability in employee performance. Similarly, workload management accounts for 26.2% of the variability in employee performance. The study therefore recommended that universities should consider formalizing flexible working arrangements, such as adjustable work hours or the option to work remotely when necessary. Chartered private universities should develop and implement clear guidelines on managing workloads, ensuring that academic staff are not overwhelmed with excessive tasks.

Keywords: Work-Life Balance, Flexible Working Arrangements, Workload Management, Employee Performance


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References


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