The role of high performance work practices, work-family conflict, job stress and personality in affecting work life balance

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to identify the role of high performance work practices of banks, work-family conflict, job stress, and personality of bank employees in affecting their work-life balance. To accomplish this goal, self-administered structured questionnaires were distributed to those bank employees who were either married, divorced, or separated, had children, and at least one year working experience in that bank. Final sample was comprised of 726 employees from 277 banks of South Punjab. The results revealed that high performance work practices of banks, family to work conflict, and personality type B behavioral patterns of bank employees increase their work-life balance, and work to family conflict of bank employees decreased their work-life balance. However, job stress and personality type A behavioral patterns of bank employees did not affect their work-life balance. Contrary to previous studies, these results suggest that moderate family to work conflict is actually good for work-life balance, and job stress and personality type A behavioral patterns are inherently not bad for work-life balance. Hence, State Bank of Pakistan should consider developing policies to enhance employee friendly high performance work practices in banks. Banks should also consider taking personality tests prior to recruiting and selecting employees for hectic posts.