Work Life Balance as a Determinants of Academic Staff Retention in Makerere and Kyambogo Universities in Uganda

Abstract

The study was meant to establish the extent to which work life balance determines the retention of academic staff n Makerere and Kyambogo Universities. Its specific objectives were to establish the status of work life balance of academic staff, the level of academic staff retention and finally the extent to which work life balance determines academic staff retention in the two universities. The study took a descriptive and cross-sectional survey designs with a number of 298 academic staff and 4 administrative staff selected using stratified random and purposive sampling technique. Findings on the status of work life balance revealed an average mean 3.29 showing that it was fair. On the level of academic staff retention, a moderate mean 3.25 revealed a fair retention of academic staff in the two universities. Results on the third objective, the study findings revealed that work life balance (B = 0.318; p = 0.000<0.05) had a statistically significant effect on the retention of academic staff (ASR). It was thus concluded that work life balance and academic ASR were fair among academic staff in Makerere and Kyambogo universities. Whereas on the third objective it was concluded that work life balance (WLB) critical determinant of academic staff retention in the two universities. It was hence recommended that a fair work life balance need to be established by considering a fair work load, reducing on work time to academic staff. Furthermore ASR may need to be improved on through ensuring that academic staff work load is within their reach. The study recommends further that the management of Makerere and Kyambogo Universities should revise and effectively implement policies that favour of academic staff work life balance such as regulated work load. The study contributes to existing knowledge as have prove that the work life balance as one of the job fits and sacrifices significantly contributes to ASR Makerere and Kyambogo Universities.