STRESS AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE AMONG EMPLOYEES IN A STATE UNIVERSITY: EXAMINING THEIR ROLES IN WORKPLACE DISRUPTION

This study investigates the relationship between stress, work-life balance, and workplace disruption among employees in a state university in the Philippines. Recognizing the growing concerns around occupational stress and its implications on employee well-being and institutional productivity, the study aims to examine how demographic factors influence workplace and occupational stress, and how these stressors relate to work-life balance, work-family conflict, and family-work conflict. Using a descriptive-correlational design and stratified sampling, data were collected from 72 university employees through a validated survey instrument. Data analysis was conducted using JASP software, employing Spearman rho and Pearson correlation coefficients to identify significant relationships. Findings reveal that age and years in service are significantly associated with work-life balance, while sex and years in position show significant associations with occupational stress and family-work conflict. State university employees experience moderate stress but maintain good work-life balance. More striking are the very strong positive correlations between both workplace and occupational stress with work-family and family-work conflict (r > 0.70, p < 0.001), indicating that stressors experienced in the workplace are closely intertwined with disruptions in personal and family domains. These findings underscore the critical need for institutional strategies that promote a healthy work-life interface, particularly in academic settings, to prevent burnout and foster a supportive work environment. The study contributes to the growing body of literature emphasizing the complex interplay between stress and work-life dynamics in the public sector and provides empirical evidence to guide policymaking and employee wellness initiatives in higher education institutions.