WORK LIFE BALANCE

A CASE STUDY OF THE GHANA POLICE SERVICE

A PROPOSAL FOR PROJECT WORK TOPIC

BY REBECCA KWANSEMA BOTCHWEY

LEVEL 400
BSC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
PENTECOST UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
SOWUTUOM - ACCRA
04/12/2014

CONTENT
Introduction
Abstract
Case Study

Objectives
Intended Achievement for the Study
Methodology
Conclusion

Work-Life Balance

A Proposal for Project Work Topic

Rebecca Kwansema Botchwey

04/12/2014

INTRODUCTION
Worklife balance is a concept including proper prioritizing between work
(career and ambition) and lifestyle (health, pleasure, leisure, family etc.).
Work-life balance is a concept that supports the efforts of employees to split
their time and energy between work and the other important aspects of their
lives. Work-life balance is a daily effort to make time for family, friends,
community participation, spirituality, personal growth, self care, and other
personal activities, in addition to the demands of the workplace.
Generally Work-life balance is facilitated by employers who institute policies,
procedures, actions, and expectations that enable employees to easily pursue
more balanced lives.
The pursuit of work-life balance reduces the stress employees experience. When
they spend the majority of their days on work-related activities and feel as if
they are neglecting the other important components of their lives, stress and
unhappiness become the final result. Work-life balance enables employees to
feel as if they are paying attention to all the important aspects of their lives.
Work-Life Balance

A Proposal for Project Work Topic

Rebecca Kwansema Botchwey

04/12/2014

ABSTRACT
Over the years, there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of
research devoted to understanding the linkages between work and family
and/or personal life.
The study of Work-life Balance is thus in reaction to the unhealthy choices
that many employees make in favour of the work place, as they opt to
neglect family, friends and leisure activities in the pursuit of corporate, work
goals mostly in return for financial benefits.
A balanced life is one where we spread our energy and effort - emotional,
intellectual, imaginative, spiritual and physical between key areas of
importance. The neglect of one or more areas, or anchor points, may
threaten the vitality of the whole.
This topic is also chosen with specific reference to The Ghana Police Service
as a case study.
Work-Life Balance

A Proposal for Project Work Topic

Rebecca Kwansema Botchwey

04/12/2014

 Happiness is not a matter of

5

intensity but of Balance and

Order and Rhythm and
Harmony.
Thomas Merton

Work-Life Balance

A Proposal for Project Work Topic

Rebecca Kwansema Botchwey

04/12/2014

CASE STUDY
The Ghana Police Service as a security / law enforcement agency is managed
or run with strict military style of administration based on command and rank.
In institutions like these, there is usually the practical Obey before complain
syndrome where the higher rank or superior in command determines your work,
movement and in some cases wade into your personal life.
It is very easy for proper work-life balance mechanisms to be ignored as the
superior may not pay attention to your personal needs or family life.
Even for the lower rank personnel, there is also the fear of stagnation in rank
increase or hierarchy growth, hence the self compulsion to put one self in
uncomfortable situations to satisfy your job requirements.
A major underlying factor to all this being financial motivation.
Work-Life Balance

A Proposal for Project Work Topic

Rebecca Kwansema Botchwey

04/12/2014

OBJECTIVES
Objectives intended to achieve with this topic are:
To ascertain whether work-life balance / imbalance have an impact on the
effectiveness of the police personnel

To analyse whether the anxiety of retaining your job as a police personnel

especially with regards to promotions and increase in ranks affects their
performance of the police personnel
To evaluate whether family expectations / dependency have an impact
performance of the police personnel.
To establish whether work-life balance / imbalance is a major factor in the
perceived corruption tag associated with the Police Service

Work-Life Balance

A Proposal for Project Work Topic

Rebecca Kwansema Botchwey

04/12/2014

Intended Achievement for the Study

Work-life balance is essential to combat stress, ensuring both individual and
company success. The stress associated with unbalanced lifestyles is costly;
it damages productivity and increases individual health risks.
Employees who have the tools to balance their professional and personal
lives are happier, healthier, and more productive.
In addition to improving performance, many younger employees place a
high value on work-life balance.
Companies that include work-life balance as part of their culture will be
able to better attract qualified candidates. In the Ghana Police Service,
better qualified police personnel translates into better policing, security and
law enforcement, reduced perception of corruption, and a more
trustworthy partnership between police and the public in crime combat.
Work-Life Balance

A Proposal for Project Work Topic

Rebecca Kwansema Botchwey

04/12/2014

Intended Achievement for the Study

The topic Work-Life Balance, a case study of the Ghana Police Service is
intended to bring out the following:
Explain the benefits of work life balance.
Recognize the signs of an unbalanced life.

Identify employer resources for a balanced lifestyle.

Improve time management and goal setting.
Define the most effective work methods for employees.
Create balance at work and at home.
Manage anxiety amidst a command and rank institutional operation to bring
the best out the employee whilst achieving financial satisfaction
Managing stress.

Work-Life Balance

A Proposal for Project Work Topic

Rebecca Kwansema Botchwey

04/12/2014

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METHODOLOGY
The Ghana Police consist of different functional unit who carry out different
roles with respect to law enforcement, security and crime combat, motor
traffic and transport duties, Domestic Violence and Victims support, health
care provision etc. These different roles require different expertise and have
different levels of risks associated with the job functions
The methodology to be used will include selective sampling, use of
questionnaires, observations, direct interviews and work schedule
observation
The data obtained will be subjected to statistical analysis and
interpretations and simple percentage analysis
Based on the analysis, conclusions will be drawn and recommendations will
be made
Work-Life Balance

A Proposal for Project Work Topic

Rebecca Kwansema Botchwey

04/12/2014

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CONCLUSION
Work-life balance remains an issue that requires considerable attention
from society. The changing nature of the global economy, where
organizations expects the employees to operate on a 24/7 schedule and
technological advances have made it possible for an employee to be
connected at all times, has ushered the work-life balance issue into the
forefront of the minds of many, including students.
As a student studying Human Resource Management, I recognize the need
for work-life balance to be critically looked at especially in our part of the
world.
My choice of case study The Ghana Police Service, is informed by
experience and first hand.
I therefore hope to have my chosen topic Work-Life Balance, A Case
Study of The Ghana Police Service approved.
Work-Life Balance

A Proposal for Project Work Topic

Rebecca Kwansema Botchwey

04/12/2014

Thank You
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Work-Life Balance

A Proposal for Project Work Topic

Rebecca Kwansema Botchwey

04/12/2014