Abstract
In the past few decades, work-life balance initiatives have been imminent, emerging from developed countries to developing countries. The construction sector has been losing quite several professionals to other sectors. Hence, the construction sector plays a significant role in the economy by providing constructed space for productive activities. However, the industry is labour intensive and culture-based, mainly on projects. Hence, it’s demanding to work long hours and meet deadlines, which put a lot of pressure on construction professionals, leading to work-life conflict. Therefore, evidence found in the literature shows that family conflict, emotional exhaustion and job dissatisfaction are prevalent in the construction sector. Also, found in the research was the demographic increase of women in the corporate world. However, previous studies have shown that the adoption of work-life balance (WLB) practices leads to significant improvements in employee and organizational performance. The concept of work-life balance refers to individuals’ ability, regardless of gender or age, to integrate work with other personal responsibilities, aspirations, and activities. The purpose of this investigation is to assess the level of adoption of work-life balance practices of construction professionals in the construction industry of Eswatini. A questionnaire survey approach has been utilized in the current study. Therefore, out of the total of 137 registered professionals, at least 90 questionnaires were distributed to professionals, and 75 professional participants responded in this survey, resulting in an average 55% response rate.
The data gathered were analyzed using descriptive, inferential statistics such as percentage, mean item score, and factor analysis, while the reliability of the questionnaire used was tested using the Cronbach alpha test. It was revealed that a large majority of the respondents were aware of the work-life balance concept. Also, leave which include sickness, causal, parental [paternity/maternity], and study) and wellness programs are commonly used work-life practices. However, access to health insurance with family coverage, working from home on an ad hoc basis, paid parental leave (Care for a sick dependant), use of flex days or rostered days offs as half days, career break, non-paid extra holidays, and compressed week are the least used. The findings of this study shed more light on the current work-balance practices in the construction sector of Eswatini. The construction industry of Eswatini should consider the implementation of WLB strategies policies to enable employee retention and attract professional employees even from outside the borders of the country. Further research is required in this field of study. Keywords: work-life balance, construction professionals, construction industry, labour intensive, culture-based, work-life conflict, work-life policies, organizational performance, Eswatini.