WORK LIFE BALANCE PRACTICES AND ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE: THEORITICAL AND EMPIRICAL REVIEW AND A CRITIQUE
Keywords:
Work Life Balance, performance, Telecommuting, Compressed Work Weeks, Part Time Work, Job SharingAbstract
Purpose: The general objective of this study was to critically review work life balance practices and their influence on organizational performance.
Methodology: The study utilized desktop literature review and focused on previously published journals that looked at work life balance practices and performance of an organization. A total of 19 journals were found relating to work life balance practices and performance of an organization. Yamane (1967) formula was used to calculate the sample size. A sample of 18 journal was randomly selected for review. The theories underpinning the study entailed Boundary and Border Theory, Organisational Support Theory, Spill-over and Cross-over Theory, Integration Theory and Separate Sphere Theory.
Findings: The reviewed literature were majorly focused on women with a general perception that only female employees experience work life imbalance, and that work life balance practices is an exclusive right of the female gender. Availability and use of work-life balance practices, when provided in the context of supervisor and organizational support can reduce work-life conflict and increase positive appraisals of one’s organization.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Based on the reviewed literature, we can argue that building an organizational culture which supports work life balance is a long term process for large organizations. It involves changing the way people think and talk about their work and about work life balance so that using flexible working options and other work life initiatives becomes accepted and normal for everyone regardless of their gender, seniority within the organizational or personal commitments.
A proposed methodology was also offered based on empirical studies reviewed. The proposed conceptual model and methodology in this study will, in the course of future investigation, seek to advance knowledge on more work life balance practices that can be adapted by organisations in the bid to enhance flexible work arrangements for the employees to enable them create a balance between their work and family responsibilities.
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