WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND ITS EFFECT ON EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY
ABSTRACT
Work-Life Balance is increasing interest in academic literature, legislation and public sector. It is meaningful daily achievement and enjoyment in life. Organizations have started introducing various schemes to attract, retain employees and productivity. Majority employers support the work –life balance concept. Work-life balance which primarily deals with an employee’s ability to properly prioritize between work and his or her lifestyle, social life, health, family etc., is greatly linked with employee productivity, performance and job satisfaction. Where there is proper balance between work and life, employees tend to put in their best efforts at work, because their family is happy.
The researcher used Merchant bank, Koforidua branch as a case study to find out the effects improper work-life balance has on the performance of employees in an organization. Concerning methodology, data used in compiling this research were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. The management and employees of Merchant bank were issued questionnaires. Text Books, Magazines and News Papers on work-life balance were also used in compiling this research.
Based on the findings revealed from the data analysis and interpretation, the researcher came up with some suggestions and recommendations. The major findings in this study shows that 92% of the total respondents used for the study suffer from stress related problems brought about by the nature of their work. Majority of the respondents complained about common stress illness such as headaches, stomach pains etc, and their inability to balance family responsibilities with their jobs. However, the study went ahead to reveal that employee productivity is greatly affected by the individual’s ability to balance work and life, as employees with better family ties tend to be more happy and highly effective in their work place. These findings and recommendations, in view of the researcher, will help improve productivity and employee performance if implemented by the organizations in Ghana as well as the government of Ghana.