IMPACT OF WORK-LIFE CONFLICT ON EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING AND ENGAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS: A STUDY OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN JAIPUR

Abstract

The research paper addresses the issue of work-life conflict and its effects on employee welfare and engagement among healthcare staff in government hospitals based in Jaipur, India. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design where 400 healthcare workers in five large government hospitals (Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipuria Hospital, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences Hospital, Mahila Chikitsalaya Sanganer Gate and Dental Hospital Shastri Nagar) participated in the study. The purposive sampling methods were used to guarantee the inclusion of pertinent clinical and administrative personnel, self-report scales which were validated to assess work-life conflict, employee well-being and engagement. The hypothesised negative relationships were tested using structural equation modelling to assess the relationship between work-life conflict and well-being, as well as engagement. The findings showed that the negative impact was significant, which proves that the higher the work-life conflict, the lesser the well-being and engagement of employees. These results correlate with the previous studies that showed that the organisational strategies are essential to reduce the work-life tension and ensure the mental health and motivation of the healthcare workers. The paper highlights the implications on healthcare management to promote healthier work environments based on policy interventions and support mechanisms which will eventually lead to an increase in the quality of care and staff retention. The cross-sectional nature and self-reported data are also weaknesses that imply further longitudinal and mixed-method studies. This research bridges the knowledge gap on the environment of the Indian government hospitals where it presents evidence that should be used to enhance the working of the staff and the effectiveness of the organisation.