WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY OF HEALTH WORKERS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN TEACHING HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine work-life balance and its relationship to employee productivity. The study attempted to find the impact of flexible working hours, compressed work week, family leave programs and telecommuting on employee productivity. Fifty (50) health workers of the University of Benin Teaching hospital were recruited for the study. A structured questionnaire was distributed to the health workers using the convenient sampling method. The questionnaires were equally retrieved, sorted and coded using Microsoft Excel® .The data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The results showed that majority of the respondents were able to achieve their daily assigned targets at work, and management was interested in the improvement of employee productivity in the organization. Majority of the health workers did not find it difficult to grow, stabilize and excel in the organization, and often enjoyed their daily tasks at work, thus indicating a high level of job satisfaction among the health workers. Family leave programs and job sharing were found to be significant determinants of employee productivity (p < 0.05) while flexible working hours, compressed work week and telecommuting were not found to be significant determinants of employee productivity (p > 0.05). These findings shows that employee productivity is significantly influenced by some work-life balance policies. Work-life balance policies are important because employees generally don’t want to miss out quality time with their families and friends due to work pressure. The results support and encourages implementation of more work-life balance policies in Nigerian organizations.