The impact of work-life balance on the wellbeing of employees in the private sector in Ireland

Kluczyk, Malgorzata (2013) The impact of work-life balance on the wellbeing of employees in the private sector in Ireland. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Work-life balance is an important topic in both professional business practice and academic research. The literature shows that work-life balance is a central issue affecting wellbeing, as family and work are the most important elements of everyone’s life. Any competing demands of work and family life cause conflict and negatively affect the wellbeing of workers. This study focused on assessing the impact of work-life balance determined by work-family conflict and family-work conflict on the wellbeing of individuals employed in the private sector in Ireland. Wellbeing was measured by levels of family satisfaction, work satisfaction and psychological distress.

Quantitative research methods were used for the study, and a sample population was chosen amongst participants who were single and in a relationship, female and male, with and without children, by using a convenient sampling method. The questionnaire used contained existing scales where the Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were above the recommended 0.7. Out of 190 distributed questionnaires, 114 were completed and returned, giving an overall returning rate of 60%. The data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 20.

The study identified the existence of negative effects of poor WLB determined by high levels of work-family conflict and family-work conflict on family satisfaction. This study also confirmed negative effects of poor WLB due to high levels of work-family conflict on work satisfaction and psychological health. Negative impacts of family-work conflict on work satisfaction and psychological health were not supported. This study also showed that the main causes of work-family conflicts were excessive working hours and inflexibility of work schedule. It was recognised that employers can improve WLB by implementing family-friendly initiatives such as flexi-time, time off in lieu, compressed working week, childcare support and eldercare support.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Quality of Work Life / Job Satisfaction
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Business Administration
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	28 Nov 2013 15:26
Last Modified:	28 Nov 2013 15:26
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/880

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