The role of emotional intelligence and work-life balance on occupational stress (case of Legal Aid South Africa, Durban Justice Centre)

Abstract

Occupational stress has been acknowledged as a global problem impacting negatively on organizations and economies. A number of psychosocial factors are cited as causes of workplace related stress, among others increased competition from globalization, expectations of high performance, long working hours, work overload/under load and home-work conflict. Work related stress has been associated with sicknesses such as cardio-vascular disease, ulcers, cancer, depression, migraine recurrent virus infection and these health problems do result in increased absenteeism, demotivation of workers, high employee turnover. The aim of this study was to determine the level and main causes of work-stress among Legal Aid SA employees at Durban Justice Centre and to evaluate the impact of emotional intelligence and work life balance on occupational stress. Quantitative methods, in particular survey research were used to collect data. Fifty nine (59) employees participated in this study. Data was collected using two (2) instruments extensively used in research, namely An Organizational Stress Screening Tool (ASSET) to assess the level of work stress and its main sources, and the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) to measure emotional intelligence. The IBM SPSS version 24 statistics software was used to analyze the data. Statistical analysis revealed that the level of work stress was relatively high at the Durban Justice Centre and that the main sources of work stress were job characteristics, work relations, control, work-life balance, and overload. Further, the study revealed that there was a strong negative correlation between emotional intelligence and work stress and that there was a strong negative relationship between work-life balance and occupational stress. Differently stated, emotional intelligence and work-life balance have a buffering effect on work stress. The research recommend that the organization incorporates emotional intelligence training and work-life balance practices into the stress management techniques or human resources strategies in order to address work stress. The study can benefit the organization by decreasing work stress and consequently increasing work engagement, productivity, improve staff physical and psychological health.