The Impact of Maintaining a Healthy Balance Between Work and Personal Life on Hotel Employees’ Performance in Rwanda. A Case Study of Olympic Hotel.

ABSTRACT :This study investigates the impact of maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life on hotel employees’ performance in Rwanda, focusing on Hotel Olympic. The research is guided by three objectives: to identify the nature of balancing work and personal life at Olympic Hotel, to identify the challenges affecting the effective balance between work and personal life, and to propose solutions to these challenges. Utilising a descriptive research survey design, data was collected from 40 employees through structured questionnaires to identify the nature of work-life balance, challenges, and proposed solutions. The demographic profile of respondents revealed a diverse workforce, with a slight majority of females (51.72%), most respondents were singles 57.5% and ages predominantly between 31-40 years (45%). Educational backgrounds varied, with secondary education being the most common (43%), and experience levels ranging primarily from 6-10 years (43%). Findings on the nature of balancing work and personal life highlighted challenges such as high-stress levels, work interference with personal life, and tight work schedules. Findings on challenges affecting the effective balance between work and personal life highlighted a demanding business environment, tight work schedules, and limited work-life balance options mainly available to parents and caregivers. Flexible working options seen as restrictive, and lack of support for education or training opportunities, insufficient time off, difficulty accessing support programs for stress or personal issues, and unclear expectations about working hours. Proposed solutions emphasised improved compensation, greater flexibility in working arrangements, and extending work-life balance options to all employees. Recommendations include implementing flexible work arrangements, clear communication about policies, and regular feedback sessions. By fostering a supportive work environment and prioritizing employee well-being, Olympic Hotel can enhance organizational performance and employee satisfaction. Further research is suggested to explore work-life balance across industries and geographical contexts, informing more inclusive organizational strategies.

KEYWORDS: Work-life balance, employee performance, flexible work arrangements,employee well-being, organizational performance.