The influence of work-life balance practices on employee job performance : a case study of Mi7 Security Intelligence in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

This research determines the influence of work-life balance practices on employee job performance at Mi7 Security Intelligence Company at Durban University of Technology (DUT). This study utilised mixed methods – both quantitative and qualitative research methods as a form of triangulation. The study context was DUT, and the 60 (35 female and 25 male) research participants who took part in the study were Mi7 Security Intelligence Company security officers employed to work at the DUT. From the 60 participants who took part in the quantitative survey, 10 security officers were selected to take part in individual in-depth interviews.

Quantitative data was entered into Stata 11 Statistical Software and analysed using two sample t-tests and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis. Qualitative data was analysed thematically using Nvivo 10 Software. The quantitative results show that younger security officers, those with lower levels of education, those who do not have children and those who are not married, compared to other groups, were more likely to score high on security officer satisfaction survey scale, family-work balance scale, work- family balance scale, and psychological health scale. Qualitative results corroborated the quantitative results with regards to work-life balance practices and family satisfaction, with participants mostly complaining about the lack of growth and development opportunities which were coupled with long working hours which limit their family time.