Importance of Work - Life Balance its Relation with Employee’s Burnout and Mediation of Demographics: A Survey-Based Study of Hospitals of District Bhakkar, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Employee burnout has become a critical challenge in the healthcare sector, particularly where professionals face continuous pressure and limited personal time. Work-life balance (WLB) plays a vital role in preventing emotional exhaustion and sustaining professional performance. However, the mediating influence of demographic factors on the WLB–burnout relationship remains underexplored in Pakistan’s (Dist Bhakkar) hospital context. The research paper is focused on the relationship between work-life balance (WLB) and employee burnout in public and private hospitals and impact of different demographic factors effecting the relation with focus in District Bhakkar, Punjab. Using methods like analysis after quantitative cross-sectional design, surveying and analyzing a sample of 250 healthcare professionals in District Bhakkar, Punjab, Pakistan. we used regression and hierarchical regression analysis in order to analyze the direct, mediation effects of demographics to get insight of the effects with respect to Gender ,Education and Age. According to the findings, there is a substantial and inverse relationship between WLB and burnout. Demographic factors, especially age, gender, marital status, and dependency ratio, played an important role as mediators in the relationship. The effect of WLB on burnout was moderated by the support that an organization offers, and its most noticeable effect was in low WLB. Younger and female employees were reported to be in a more stressful working environment, but stress was better managed in flexible working arrangements and policies that are more supportive. To reduce burn out levels it is imperative to promote WLB practices and policies among healthcare employees. These policies should be tailored to absorb the demographic differences, with extensive support of leadership which brings in flexibility and recognition mechanisms ultimately strengthen organizational well-being and workforce sustainability.