Quality of Work Life, Work Life Balance and Career Satisfaction: Faculty Perceptions in Pakistan

Abstract

Maintaining the quality of work-life (QWL) is a global challenge faced by higher education institutions, and the same is true for the universities of Pakistan. Unless appropriately managed the negative feelings about QWL may adversely impact on attraction, performance, and retention of the faculty in any university. The purpose of this research was to gather the perceptions of faculty to explore interrelationship of QWL attributes, work-life balance (WLB), and career satisfaction (CS). For this survey, a correlational research design was opted to gather perceptions of the faculty teaching in the universities of Lahore. The researcher used the cluster sampling technique to get a target sample comprising 300 faculty members. The sample was drawn from six (3 public and 3 private) universities of Lahore. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for the analysis and interpretation of data. Pearson Product Moment Correlation confirmed the association between the variables; regression analysis identified the predictive value of QWL attributes and WLB for career satisfaction. The study concluded that the achieved status of work-life balance strongly predicts career satisfaction. However, perceptions of inequality regarding faculty promotions, distribution of workload, and allocated work hours affected QWL negatively. Faculty also disagreed that their employers provide adequate facilities and flexible working hours to manage work-life balance (WLB). The findings and results will assist leadership and faculty in the practical implementation of quality work-life programs to improve the retention of current employees and attract quality employees in the future.

Keywords

• job satisfaction
• higher education
• quality of work-life
• work-life balance
• university faculty

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