EFFECT OF WORK-LIFE BALANCE ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA

Roseline Mwikali Ngela, Dr. Mary Kamaara, (Ph.D)

Abstract


The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of employee work-life balance on the performance of employees in public universities in Nairobi County, Kenya. While in the recent past, public universities have been in the limelight for the challenges orchestrated by declined revenues, little has been mentioned regarding the employees, particularly their work-life balance. The study specifically sought to assess the effect of flexible work arrangements and organisational support on employee performance in public universities in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was anchored on the resource-based view theory. Through a descriptive research design, the study targeted the administrative staff in Nairobi's three major public universities (University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Technical University of Kenya). A sample of 356 senior, middle and administrative employees was selected through a sampling formula. The respondents were surveyed using a questionnaire, which was first pilot-tested using 10% of the sample size before being administered to the main sample size to ensure its validity and reliability. The collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The data was presented using tables. The findings revealed that flexible working arrangements and organizational support played an integral role in determining university employee performance.The study recommends that management in public universities in Nairobi City County embrace flexible working arrangements to enhance employee performance. The management of public universities in Nairobi City County has the duty of ensuring that the wellness of their employees is upheld through supporting wellness programs.

Keywords: Work-Life Balance, Flexible Work Arrangements, Organisational Support, Employee Performance


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