THE IMPACT OF WORK-FAMILY BALANCE ON JOB PERFORMANCE AND COUNTERPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR AMONG FEMALE WORKERS IN DELTA STATE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

This study examines the impact of work-family balance on job performance and counterproductive behavior among female workers in tertiary institutions in Delta State. The objectives were to investigate the relationship between work-family conflict and counterproductive work behavior, as well as to assess the relationship between work-family balance and job performance. Utilizing a cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 389 female workers through a structured survey. Spillover Theory and Social Role Theory provided the theoretical framework. The study employed Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression analysis via SPSS version 23 to test the hypotheses. Results revealed that work-family conflict positively and significantly influences counterproductive work behavior (p<0.05), while negatively impacting task and contextual performance. In contrast, work-family balance was found to positively and significantly enhance job performance (p<0.05). These findings reject the null hypotheses (H1 and H2), confirming a significant relationship between work-family conflict and counterproductive work behavior, and between work-family balance and job performance. The study concludes that promoting work-family balance is critical for improving employee performance and reducing counterproductive behavior. Management in tertiary institutions should adopt policies that support work-life balance to mitigate the adverse effects of work-family conflict.