Factors Affecting Employee Job Performance in the Poultry Processing Sector: A Case Study from Gampola, Sri Lanka

In the poultry processing sector, employee performance plays a critical role in productivity and operational efficiency. Employee performance is shaped by multiple internal and external factors, ranging from demographic characteristics to organizational practices. This study explores the impact of various factors, demographic factors (age, gender, work experience, education level), working conditions, compensation, relationships with coworkers and supervisors, training and development, and performance appraisal on employee performance at a poultry processing plant in Gampola, Sri Lanka. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire from a sample of 131 employees, chosen through simple random sampling. The variables were measured on a five-point Likert scale, and data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), involving both descriptive and inferential statistics. According to the results, a significant positive relationship was found between employee performance and factors such as work environment, performance appraisal, compensation, gender, and experience. In contrast, no significant impact on employee performance was shown by relationships with coworkers, relationships with supervisors, training and development, and age. The study findings proved that employing well experienced labourers with a sound compensation plan, creating a better working environment, and applying employee friendly performance appraisal methods would enhance the job performance of employees, and management should take in to consideration such relationships in developing strategies to increase employee’s productivity of the Poultry Processing Sector.