Work-life balance and its relation with employee loyalty towards an organisation -- a study of public sector organisations in the Maldives / Mohamed Zahir

Abstract:
Public sector organizations across the world have gradually assumed a competitive dimension similar to that of their counterparts in the private sector. With the public expecting higher efficiency from these organizations, employees have come under pressure to deliver more in terms of productivity. Such changes have however ignited a need for debate on the need for employees in the public sector to achieve a balance between their work and life roles so as to perform optimally at work and at the same time enhance their quality of life. From both an organizational and employee perspective, this research aims at examining the nature of the relationship between work-life balance and employee loyalty in public sector organizations in Maldives.
The study uses a mixed methods approach to research in which interviews and survey questionnaires are used to collect relevant information from employees and human resource managers in the public sector organizations of Maldives. Empirical data from the survey was analyzed using statistical packages while qualitative data were analyzed for patterns and consequently themes in the collected responses.
The research was able to highlight that implementation of work-life balance practices in public sector organizations positively influences employee loyalty as depicted through greater job satisfaction, commitment and increased productivity. The benefits of this positive relationship extend to both employees and organizations and are therefore worth pursuing. The research also highlight that implementation of work-life balance programs faces a host of challenges and hence requires careful consideration for successful outcomes to be achieved. Lastly the research offers useful recommendations that organizations should consider so as to benefit from a loyal workforce that is able to maintain a healthy work-life balance.