Work Life Balance and Staff Performance of Basic Schools within the Cape Coast Metropolis

Abstract

This study examined work-life balance and teacher performance at basic schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The study adopted both the quantitative and qualitative method and used the simple random sampling procedure to select a sample of 200 respondents. Data were collected using questionnaire while data analysis was done using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Independent-samples t-test and simple regression analysis was conducted to achieve the third and fourth objective of the study. It was found that the determinants of work-life balance among the basic school teachers include work arrangements, working hours, organizational culture, time management, family support policies and reward schemes. Also, it was found that extreme commitment to professional and domestic responsibilities, absence of opportunity to express one’s view on issues, lack of formal policies, high rate of absenteeism and non-standard work hours cause work-life imbalance. Moreover, it was revealed that there was significant difference between work life balance of male and female teachers at the basic schools. Finally, work-life balance positively affect teachers’ performance. It was recommended that Ministry of Education through the Ghana Education Service should set up a work-life balance policy and programs that would support teachers at the basic schools in fulfilling their official work at school and their individual responsibilities outside the school as well.