Employee perceptions of work-life balance within a major retail company in Durban.

Abstract

The retail industry is the fourth largest contributor to South Africa´s Gross Domestic Product, therefore, industry competition, economic, and political changes all carry a significant impact on business operations. Good service delivery and customer retention are imperative to business sustainability, and employees need to provide high levels of performance and meet challenges facing the industry. As employment fluctuates and changes in operations adapt to the environment, employees face various challenges that impact their personal lives. Work- related illness, mental health, and bias practices are experiences that most employees face at some point in their careers or working lives. Separating the experience between work and home is not always easy. Work-life balance (WLB) is a phenomenon that seeks to define a state of equilibrium in which both personal and workspaces are equal. Juggling life’s competing demands can be tiring and stressful and is known to negatively impact productivity, health and commitment. A lack of WLB should, therefore, be regarded as a critical business risk, after all, what is a business if not for the productivity of its employees. This study explores the perception of the work-life balance WLB of employees in the retail industry. The key assumption of this study is that WLB of employees is a vital factor for successful business performance and productivity. The study aimed to explore employees’ perceptions of WLB in a major retail supermarket in South Africa; and determine the level of support provided by the company to achieve WLB. Pertinent work-life balance research studies and academic literature shaped the theoretical framework underpinning the subject. A qualitative research method was selected, which supported an interpretive approach to the study. Data was collected through one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with ten long-serving, store employees (including managers) from a leading, national, retail supermarket in Durban. Interviews were transcribed, and data analysed through the thematic analysis method. Research findings indicated that managers experienced poor working conditions, which significantly impacted their personal lives. Common themes emerging from the data included the impact of organisational culture on WLB, gender bias practices, and its impact on female leaders’ career developments. The study confirms the impact of poor WLB on both employees and the business. A key recommendation emerging from the study is for the company to conduct an organisational cultural audit as key concerns such as poor working conditions and gender bias practices relate to the company’s culture in some way, shape or form.