WORK-LIFE CONFLICT AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AT THE UPPER WEST REGIONAL HOSPITAL, WA, GHANA

Abstract

The issue relating to work-life conflict and its effects on employee performance has become topical in academic and professional circles. Therefore, the main objective of this thesis is to examine why and how work-life conflict influences employee performance at the Upper West Regional Hospital. To situate the research in its right perspective, the pragmatic worldview was leaned on. Drawing on the role theory and the mixed method approach, questionnaires and key informant interviews, data was gathered from forty-one (41) health workers at the Upper West Regional Hospital. The findings from the questionnaires and interviews unveiled that a significant proportion of staff at the Upper West Regional Hospital experience constant time pressure, high work demands, and stress. The findings also unveiled that job satisfaction among employees at the Upper West Regional Hospital presents a mixed picture. The findings further revealed that job stress is one of the factors in work-life conflict as the presence of stressors related to workload, time pressure, interruptions, and job security are some of the causes of work-life conflict. The study concludes that workload, time pressure, interruptions, concerns about job security, job demands and perceived unfair treatment have been identified as some of the factors that cause job stress for staff at the Upper West Regional Hospital. The study therefore recommends the implementation of effective workload management strategies by the management of the hospital to reduce constant time pressure and high work demands, allowing employees to maintain a healthier work-life balance.