The Role of Employee Engagement in the Relationship between Worklife Balance and Employee Performance in Sa'adu Zungur University, Bauchi
1 Department of Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Nigerian Army University Biu,
2 Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Jos
* Corresponding author: sanibabayaro@gmail.com
2 Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Jos
* Corresponding author: sanibabayaro@gmail.com
Abstract
In today's competitive landscape, the interplay between worklife balance, employee
engagement, and employee performance is crucial for organizational success. This study
investigates how employee engagement mediates the relationship between worklife balance
and employee performance at Sa'adu Zungur University, Bauchi state Nigeria. Utilising a
positivist approach, a sample of 300 staff members was selected from a population of 1,850,
employing multiple regression analysis to assess the relationships among the variables. The
findings revealed significant positive relationships: worklife balance (coefficient = 0.567, p <
0.000) and employee engagement (coefficient = 0.789, p < 0.000) both significantly influence
employee performance. Mediation analysis confirmed that employee engagement partially
mediates the relationship between worklife balance and performance, leading to the rejection
of all null hypotheses. These insights highlight the need to prioritising worklife balance and
employee engagement to improve performance. Organizations should implement work-life
balance policies, invest in employee engagement programmes, and foster a supportive
organizational culture. This study contributes to the understanding of employee management
in developing economies, providing a framework for future research and practical
implications for policymakers.
Keywords
WorkLife Balance
Employee Engagement
Employee Performance
Mediation Analysis
Developing Economies
References
- Albrecht, S. L., Bakker, A. B., Gruman, J. A., Macey, W. H., & Saks, A. M. (2023). Employee engagement in theory and practice: A review of the literature. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 44(1), 525. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2617
- Armstrong, M., & Taylor, S. (2020). Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice (15th ed.). Kogan Page.
- Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2021). Job demands-resources theory: Taking stock and looking forward. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 26(3), 300–317. https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000270
- Gallup. (2023). State of the global workplace: 2023 report. Gallup Press.
- Greenhaus, J. H., & Allen, T. D. (2011). Work-family balance: A review and extension of the literature. In J. C. Quick & L. E. Tetrick (Eds.), Handbook of occupational health psychology (pp. 165–183). American Psychological Association.
- Harter, J. K., Schmidt, F. L., & Hayes, T. L. (2021). Business-unit-level relationship between employee satisfaction, employee engagement, and business outcomes: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 106(1), 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000461
- Hofmann, L., et al. (2021). Gender and work-life balance: A systematic review. Journal of Business Research, 124, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.11.024
- Institute for Futures Research. (2022). Work-life balance in South Africa: Trends and challenges. University of Stellenbosch.
- Kahn, W. A. (1990). Psychological conditions of personal engagement and disengagement at work. Academy of Management Journal, 33(4), 692–724. https://doi.org/10.5465/256287
- Kreiner, G. E., Hollensbe, E. C., & Sheep, M. L. (2020). Balancing borders and bridges: Negotiating the work-home interface. Academy of Management Journal, 63(4), 1094–1120. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2018.0738
- Mone, E. M., & London, M. (2022). Employee engagement through effective performance management: A framework for integrating engagement and performance. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 33(5), 951–974. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2021.1882189
- National Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Labour force statistics: Unemployment and underemployment report. Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Office for National Statistics. (2022). Productivity in the UK: 2022. ONS.
- Olaoye, A. A., & Akinyemi, F. O. (2022). Work-life balance and employee engagement: Evidence from Nigeria. Journal of African Business, 23(1), 66–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228916.2021.1952021
- Saks, A. M. (2021). Antecedents and consequences of employee engagement: A multilevel perspective. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 36(3), 234–248. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-09-2020-0591
- Sharma, R., et al. (2021). Work-life balance in India: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(12), 2534–2556. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2021.1900339
- World Bank. (2023). India economic update: Enhancing productivity through employee engagement. World Bank Publications.
- World Bank. (2023). World development report: The changing nature of work. World Bank Publications.
How to Cite
Babayaro, S., & Wurim, B. P. (2025). The Role of Employee Engagement in the Relationship between Worklife Balance and Employee Performance in Sa'adu Zungur University, Bauchi. Journal of Banking and Finance Research, 1(1), 32-44. https://doi.org/10.67862/jbfr.2025.kq3y0v49
S. Babayaro, and B. P. Wurim, "The Role of Employee Engagement in the Relationship between Worklife Balance and Employee Performance in Sa'adu Zungur University, Bauchi," Journal of Banking and Finance Research, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 32-44, December 2025. doi: 10.67862/jbfr.2025.kq3y0v49