The Influence of Work Life Balance on Turnover Intention in Private Hospitals: The Mediating Role of Work Life Conflict

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the effects of work-life balance (WLB) practices (schedule flexibility, manager support and job autonomy) on work-life conflict and turnover intentions. The mediating effect of work-life conflict on the relationship between WLB practices and turnover intentions is also investigated. This research was applied to the context of private hospitals in Jordan targeting medical-staff. Questionnaires were randomly distributed to medical-staff and yielded a response rate of 80.6 percent. Reliability and validity tests were first carried out, then data was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM).Results revealed that manager support was the only WLB practice that had a significant negative direct effect on turnover intentions. Job autonomy had a negative indirect effect on turnover intentions through work-life conflict. Meanwhile, schedule flexibility had insignificant effect on turnover intentions. Therefore, it was clear that the informal WLB practices (manager support and job autonomy) had the most significant effect and are the determinants of turnover intentions. The mediating role of work-life conflict was only significant with job autonomy. Additionally, the effect of work-life conflict on turnover intentions was positive and significant.

Keywords: Work-life balance, Turnover intentions, Work-life conflict, Private hospitals, Jordan.