Balancing Work-Life Balance and Well-Being of Employees Towards Organizational Growth of DENR–PENRO Zambales: A Case Study

Abstract

Employees in government service are expected to meet growing work demands while fulfilling family and personal responsibilities, and how they balance the two bears on their well-being and on the organizations they serve. This study examined the importance of work-life balance in promoting employee well-being and organizational growth at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Zambales. It addresses the limited local evidence on how employees of provincial government offices experience work-life balance. Anchored on the Job Demands–Resources Model and Border Theory, the study used a qualitative case study design. Fifteen permanent and contractual employees with at least five years of service were purposively selected and interviewed individually using a validated semi-structured interview guide, and the data were analyzed through six-phase thematic analysis. Five themes emerged. Participants viewed work-life balance as manageable but occasionally disrupted by workload; heavy workloads, additional assignments, and demanding office and field duties were the main challenges; participants coped through family communication, clear boundaries, time management, spirituality, and a positive outlook; existing wellness programs were valued but needed more consistent implementation, resources, and management support; and work-life balance was perceived to support well-being, productivity, teamwork, and service delivery. The study concludes that, from the employees’ perspective, work-life balance is a shared responsibility of employees and the organization that contributes to well-being and organizational growth, and it adds local evidence from a provincial environment office. The office is encouraged to institutionalize its wellness programs, monitor workloads, and strengthen management support, and future studies may involve other agencies and larger or comparative samples.