Work life balance strategies for women in the civil service: a case of the Ministry of Agriculture Agritex Department

Abstract

The study sought to determine work life balance strategies for women in the civil service particularly those in the Ministry of Agriculture Agritex Department at the head office in Harare. In this study, 40 female employees were used as the research subjects. Questionnaires were used as the key research instrument. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Mean was used to make sense of demographic data while ANOVA was used to test the hypotheses which were formulated for the study. The study identified that they were several factors that made work life balance harder among them difficulties in taking leave, amount of travel required and having to take additional work home. In the study, results showed that women use strategies such as using technology, engaging helpers, as well as support from both workmates and family. The strategies however differed with demographic variables that included age, marital status, number of children, age of children, educational qualifications and having primary care responsibilities. Generally, all strategies were widely used but single women who were below the age of thirty appeared to have a balance in their lives while those who were married, had care responsibilities and middle age cited that they were not able to balance work and life. All the participants agreed that work life balance was party an employer’s responsibility and partly an individual’s responsibility but sometimes it remains a sole responsibility of the employer. It was then recommended that communication, supportive work cultures and support from management and supervisors be improved.