WORK LIFE BALANCE AS A DRIVER OF EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AT SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED, RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study looked at Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC), located in Rivers State, and how employee performance is influenced by work-life balance. Growing concerns that in highly demanding organizations like SPDC, a failure to balance work and personal life frequently leads to decreased employee productivity, job dissatisfaction, and increased turnover served as the impetus for the study. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design within a quantitative research framework. This approach enabled the researcher to collect data at a single point in time, minimizing external influences and ensuring the objectivity and consistency of responses. The target population for this study comprised employees of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) located in Rivers State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study focused on two operational areas: the Industrial Area (IA) in Rumuomasi and the Residential Area (RA) in Rumuokwurusi. A total of 400 employees were targeted for the survey to ensure adequate representation across departments, job roles, and shifts. A sample size of 200respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane (1967) formula at a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. A stratified random sampling technique was used to guarantee thorough representation across job levels and departments. The findings show that employees' productivity, motivation, and engagement are greatly increased when work-life balance strategies like flexible work schedules and equitable leave policies are implemented. The study therefore recommends that SPDC should guarantee equitable and open access to leave benefits, such as annual, maternity, paternity, and compassionate leave, for all employee categories.