Work-life balance and self-reported health of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case of a state university in the Philippines

Abstract

This research attempts to investigate the work-life balance and self-reported health of Northern Iloilo State University (NISU) employees in Iloilo, Philippines, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a descriptive survey with a correlational design, an adapted survey questionnaire was administered across the seven campuses of NISU. Statistical analyses encompassed mean and standard deviation calculations, t-tests, One-Way ANOVA, and Pearson’s r correlations. The study revealed that work-life balance, particularly in categories such as social wellness and emotional wellness, was consistently rated as "Very Good" across different variables (Age, Sex, and Administrative Function). Self-reported health, with categories encompassing excessive work demand, professional growth, role clarity, age, sex, and administrative functions, was generally perceived as "Good." Intriguingly, the findings demonstrated insignificance in social wellness and emotional wellness categories when considering various factors. However, there was significance noted in terms of emotional wellness concerning sex, while administrative function appeared not to be a significant factor for either social wellness or emotional wellness. The study underscores the significance of key officials' support during the pandemic and advocates for the establishment of mechanisms to assist faculty and staff in adapting to the evolving challenges of these times. Work-life balance and self-reported health emerged as significant factors, with a notable correlation between self-reported health and work-life balance (r = 0.581, Sig = 0.000).