Work – Life Balance and Its Effect on Employee Productivity among Nurses

A key component influencing staff productivity has been balancing work with family time, more particularly within the health care arena as it relates to the increasing demands placed on nurses through added work stress and significant workloads. In this research project, we examine the relationship between family/work balance and productivity among nursing personnel. Some of the key areas of consideration for this investigation will include, but will not be limited to aspects related to the relationship between work related and organization policies, family support systems and individual skill levels (to name a few) and their impact on the overall productivity of nursing staff. A quantitative approach using primary data collected via a structured questionnaire from the population of study consisting of 79 nurses, was undertaken in this study. The data were examined using Microsoft Excel with descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis tools. The results indicate that work and organizational policies, along with family support have a positive effect on employee productivity while there are negative effects of work-related stress and an imbalance between personal life and work on employee productivity. Work-life balance is paramount to nurse efficiency and performance. This research study suggests that to improve employee productivity there must be a positive work environment with a balance between employees' personal and work life. Healthcare organizations should increase the variety of work policies available to their employees, provide work schedules that allow flexibility, and be able to provide for their employees' wellbeing when making decisions. This information may help hospital administration, decision-makers in hospitals and research studies gain a deeper understanding of the importance of work-life balance within a healthcare organization.