Effect of work-life balance practices on employee commitment: evidence from firms managed by Kenya tea development agency

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of work-life balance practices on employee commitment. Specifically, the study investigated employee perceptions on: organizational support for employees with personal and family problems, organizational interference with private life and organizational consideration for life outside of work. The study used descriptive survey design and was conducted in five KTDA factories within Bomet County namely, Rorok, Kobel, Kapkoros, Tirgaga and Mogogosiek by considering all 216 employees. A two-stage stratified sampling procedure was used to pick respondents. Data for this study was collected using a duly validated and reliable questionnaire and analysis was done using frequencies and percentages. Tables were used to present results. The study established that work-life balance has a major effect on employee level of commitment with majority of respondents specifically perceiving the organizations they worked for as not supportive with personal and family problems. They also believed that demands of their work seriously interfered with their private life. The study findings also indicated that many did not find the people they work with or report to as considerate of their life outside work. The study recommends that organizations develop programs that show support to employees’ personal and family issues. It also recommends that organizations should have flexible work programs and schedules that help reduce work related pressure and interference with private lives of the employees. The study further recommends that the management should be considerate of their employees’ life outside the workplace as it affects their commitment. Based on the research findings it can be concluded that work life balance practices had a positive impact on employee commitment to the organization. Future researchers may concentrate on the development of a common tool of measurement for work‐life balance taking individual personality factors also into consideration.