Abstract:
The study purposes to evaluate the influence of work-life balance programs on employee retention within consultancy firms in Nairobi County, in Kenya. Consulting companies face significant challenges like high turnover rates which disrupt business and increase the cost of recruitment and operations. Retaining employees, the most important resource in a company is a key company competitive advantage. The research specifically focuses on consulting firms whose primary revenue source is labor outsourcing. The study objectives include examining the effects of wellness programs, hybrid working models, parental leave, and medical schemes on employee retention. The target population comprises 809 employees across four consulting firms, including Q-Sourcing Limited, Sheer Logic Management Consultants, Brites Management, and Dira Human Resources Solutions. This represents a diverse and inclusive demographic. The sample size, determined using the census sampling method and Yamane formula, consisted of 267 employees, ensuring a representative cross-section of the intended target population. Data collection was through a structured quantitative survey questionnaire designed to capture employees' perceptions and experiences regarding work-life balance initiatives across all employees in the firms. Once collected, the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics to provide an overview of the responses. Additionally, multilinear regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationships between various work-life balance programs and employee retention, using the Jamovi analysis system. The outcomes include identifying significant correlations between work-life balance programs and employee retention, offering crucial insights for developing strategies to enhance employee well-being and support organizational performance. This research will contribute to both academic literature and the development of strategies to improve the design and implementation of work-life balance programs tailored to a Kenyan context.
