The Influence of Work-Life Balance and Organizational Culture on Employee Performance : The Mediating Role of Employee Engagement

In the public sector, sustaining high levels of employee performance remains a continual challenge, especially amid growing administrative demands and expanding workloads. Disruptions to work-life balance and misaligned organizational values can weaken employee commitment and effectiveness. This study explores the impact of work-life balance and organizational culture on employee performance, with employee engagement examined as a mediating factor. The research was conducted at the Personnel and Human Resources Development Agency (BKPSDM) of Jember Regency using a quantitative explanatory approach and involved a census of 46 civil servants. Data were collected through surveys, interviews, and observations, and analyzed using path analysis techniques to assess both direct and indirect effects. The results show that work-life balance and organizational culture significantly influence engagement and performance. Moreover, employee engagement was found to partially mediate the relationship between the independent variables and employee performance. These findings point to the importance of creating supportive work environments and fostering a culture that promotes collaboration and engagement. Practical steps may include enhancing schedule flexibility and improving team dynamics. Future studies are encouraged to explore additional mediators and expand the research across various government institutions to strengthen generalizability.