A Study on Work Life Balance of Female Pharmacists working in Private Hospitals

 

Dr. Suraj Kushe Shekhar¹, Dr. Tony P. Jose², Sudhakar R.³

¹Assistant Professor (Sr. Grade), VIT University, Vellore-632014, Tamilnadu, INDIA

²Assistant Professor, VIT University, Vellore-632014, Tamilnadu, INDIA

³Assistant Professor (Selection Grade), VIT University, Vellore-632014, Tamilnadu, INDIA

 

ABSTRACT:

Pharmacy is the science and method of preparing and dispensing drugs. It is a vocation  that links health sciences with chemical sciences and targets to ensure the safe and effective use of  drugs. Pharmacists, also known as chemists or druggists are healthcare professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective use of medication. Every pharmacist is a member of the health care team directly involved with patient care. The present study examines the perceptions of female pharmacists with regard to their work - life balances. Descriptive research with convenient sampling technique elicited responses from 47 pharmacists from southern India across various private hospitals. In spite of the fewer odds and ends prevailing in the organization, results revealed that they were happy with their present job. Even though the pharmacists could spend only very little quality time with their family, they were still able to balance their work and family life.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Work life balance is a concept including proper prioritizing between ‘work’ (career and ambition) and ‘lifestyle’ (health, pleasure, leisure, family and spiritual development/meditation). This is related to the idea of lifestyle choice. The healthcare industry is an aggregation and integration of sectors within the economic system that provides goods and services to treat patients with curative, preventive, rehabilitative, and palliative care. In house pharmacy is a prominent place in hospitals. In India, when it comes to pharmacists, a good number of females work in this sector. Work life balance and females are always a matter of study in various social science researches. The present study examines various dimensions of work life and family life of female pharmacists of various age groups working in healthcare sector.

 

LITERATURE REVIEW AND RESEARCH GAP:

Mani (2013)^[1]in his study found out that the major factors influencing the work life balance of women professionals in India are role conflict, absence of recognition, work politics, sex discrimination, children care issues, quality of health, time management and lack of proper family support. Kumari and Devi (2012)^[2] have found out that there exists significant relationship between various demographic variables (particularly age and gender) and work life balance. Heather et al (2011)^[3] suggested that in the work place, the individual accord and its effects has developed a new accord based on clash and enhancement. Krishna et al (2010)^[4]in their study on work life balance found out that married women employees experience more work family conflict compared to unmarried females. Singh (2010)^[5]in his article examined that compared to other professions; software employees were finding it difficult to balance their work and life. They hardly find any time to nurture their kids and look after their family affairs. It is evident from the present literature that work life balance is a subject of debate in this century. Further, hardly any evidence exists on as to how females, particularly pharmacists, manage their work and family life. Are they happy? What are the issues that they are facing? What are their perceptions? The present study identifies theses aspects as the research gap and finds answers to many such questions.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Objectives of the study:

1.      To find out the perceptions on work related life of pharmacists

2.      To find out the perception on family life of working pharmacists

3.      To find out the perceptions on work life balance of pharmacists

 

Descriptive research (Malhotra, 2004)^[6] was used in the study. The researcher elicited responses from a gamut of respondents from different private hospitals in South India. A total of 47 female pharmacists were interviewed for the study. The researcher had undertaken convenient sampling method. Based on the literature review, the researcher framed a structured questionnaire which was used as the data collection instrument for the study. The questionnaire was developed to ascertain the responses of the pharmacists from 18 years to above 50 years of age. Questionnaires were developed both in English and in local language. The time period of the study was during February-April 2017. Reliability of the questionnaires was tested using Cronbach’s alpha. Cronbach alpha coefficient was obtained as 0.921 which was considered to be ‘very strong’ (Malhotra, 2004). Responses was elicited mainly from the 22 private hospitals in Southern India. The respondents were asked to fill the responses during their free hours. The analysis of the data was carried out in SPSS 20.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

The demographic profile of the respondents is as shown below (Tables 1 to 5)

 

Table 1: Age group

	Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
18-30	6	12.8	12.8	12.8
31-40	29	61.7	61.7	74.5
41-50	10	21.3	21.3	95.7
>50	2	4.3	4.3	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 2: Marital status

	Frequency	Percent	Valid %	Cumulative Percent
Unmarried	2	4.3	4.3	4.3
Married	45	95.7	95.7	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

 

 

 

Table 3: Work Experience

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
0-1 years	1	2.1	2.1	2.1
1-5 years	6	12.8	12.8	14.9
5-10 years	12	25.5	25.5	40.4
>10 years	28	59.6	59.6	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 4: No. of family members

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
1-2	1	2.1	2.1	2.1
3-4	26	55.3	55.3	57.4
5-7	18	38.3	38.3	95.7
>7	2	4.3	4.3	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 5: Category of kids

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
No kids	4	8.5	8.5	8.5
Infant	4	8.5	8.5	17.0
Toddler	11	23.4	23.4	40.4
School children	27	57.4	57.4	97.9
College children	1	2.1	2.1	100.0

 

Table 6: Quality time spend with family

Time (hrs)	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
0	4	8.5	8.5	8.5
1	14	29.8	29.8	38.3
2	7	14.9	14.9	53.2
3	5	10.6	10.6	63.8
4	10	21.3	21.3	85.1
5	4	8.5	8.5	93.6
6	2	4.3	4.3	97.9
10	1	2.1	2.1	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Majority of the respondents mentioned that they could spend only 1(29%) to 4 (21.3%) hours of quality time with their family. See table 6

 

Table 7: Joined pharmacy because of interest

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	1	2.1	2.1	2.1
DA	1	2.1	2.1	4.3
N	1	2.1	2.1	6.4
A	31	66.0	66.0	72.3
SA	13	27.7	27.7	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Majority (66%) of the respondents joined pharmacy because of their interest. See table 7

 

Table 8: Family support is the motivation for quality work output

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	1	2.1	2.1	2.1
DA	2	4.3	4.3	6.4
N	1	2.1	2.1	8.5
A	33	70.2	70.2	78.7
SA	10	21.3	21.3	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

The family support (70.2%) was a major factor to take up their job. See table 8

 

Table 9: Finds very less time to spend with family because of work life

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	2	4.3	4.3	4.3
DA	5	10.6	10.6	14.9
N	3	6.4	6.4	21.3
A	21	44.7	44.7	66.0
SA	16	34.0	34.0	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Majority reported that they could spend very less time and couldn’t find much time to take care of their family because of work life. See table 9 and 10

 

Table 10: Do not find time to take care of family because of work life

	Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	1	2.1	2.1	2.1
DA	15	31.9	31.9	34.0
N	6	12.8	12.8	46.8
A	15	31.9	31.9	78.7
SA	10	21.3	21.3	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 11: Shortage of staff makes work more hectic

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	2	4.3	4.3	4.3
DA	15	31.9	31.9	36.2
N	10	21.3	21.3	57.4
A	14	29.8	29.8	87.2
SA	6	12.8	12.8	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 12: Amount of work given is more than that i can handle

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	2	4.3	4.3	4.3
DA	24	51.1	51.1	55.3
N	11	23.4	23.4	78.7
A	9	19.1	19.1	97.9
SA	1	2.1	2.1	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

However respondents were muddled with an answer when asked if their present job was hectic. Majority (51%) of the respondents disagreed that the amount of work given to them was more that they could handle. See tables 11 & 12

 

Table 13: Gets too tired (mentally and physically) once I reach home after a day’s long work

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	3	6.4	6.4	6.4
DA	4	8.5	8.5	14.9
N	3	6.4	6.4	21.3
A	23	48.9	48.9	70.2
SA	14	29.8	29.8	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 14: As a woman I must be entitled for many considerations in various work related activities

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	4	8.5	8.5	8.5
DA	7	14.9	14.9	23.4
N	9	19.1	19.1	42.6
A	22	46.8	46.8	89.4
SA	5	10.6	10.6	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 15: Various shifts including night shifts puts me in physical and mental stress

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	4	8.5	8.5	8.5
DA	7	14.9	14.9	23.4
N	5	10.6	10.6	34.0
A	21	44.7	44.7	78.7
SA	10	21.3	21.3	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 16: Work in a highly stressful atmosphere

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	4	8.5	8.5	8.5
DA	19	40.4	40.4	48.9
N	5	10.6	10.6	59.6
A	9	19.1	19.1	78.7
SA	10	21.3	21.3	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Respondents suggested that they were getting tired (both mentally and physically) after a day’s long work. Further, various shifts especially night shifts were putting them under stress. As a woman, they expressed it as a right to get considerations in various work related activities. However they disagreed that they were working in a highly stressful atmosphere. See tables 13 to 16.

 

It is clearly evident that family support was the back bone to take up and continue their present profession. See table 17 & 18

 

Table 17: Fall into extreme pressure because of non support of family members

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	9	19.1	19.1	19.1
DA	30	63.8	63.8	83.0
N	1	2.1	2.1	85.1
A	5	10.6	10.6	95.7
SA	2	4.3	4.3	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 18: As my job is stressful ,family members puts me into pressure to resign the job

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	10	21.3	21.3	21.3
DA	33	70.2	70.2	91.5
N	1	2.1	2.1	93.6
A	2	4.3	4.3	97.9
SA	1	2.1	2.1	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

Respondents suggested that there were absence of any policies or frameworks in the organization to make the work life balance for pharmacists effective. See table 19.

 

Table 19: To make the work life balance better for women employees, my organization executes various policies and frameworks

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	7	14.9	14.9	14.9
DA	29	61.7	61.7	76.6
N	6	12.8	12.8	89.4
A	3	6.4	6.4	95.7
SA	2	4.3	4.3	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 20:I love my organization am able to  balance my work and life

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	1	2.1	2.1	2.1
DA	1	2.1	2.1	4.3
N	11	23.4	23.4	27.7
A	27	57.4	57.4	85.1
SA	7	14.9	14.9	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 21:I love my work life above my family life

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	4	8.5	8.5	8.5
DA	19	40.4	40.4	48.9
N	18	38.3	38.3	87.2
A	5	10.6	10.6	97.9
SA	1	2.1	2.1	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

Table 22: Overall i am able to balance my work and family life

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	1	2.1	2.1	2.1
DA	2	4.3	4.3	6.4
N	3	6.4	6.4	12.8
A	34	72.3	72.3	85.1
SA	7	14.9	14.9	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

	Frequency	%	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
SDA	1	2.1	2.1	2.1
DA	2	4.3	4.3	6.4
N	3	6.4	6.4	12.8
A	34	72.3	72.3	85.1
SA	7	14.9	14.9	100.0
Total	47	100.0	100.0

 

It was also reported that the female pharmacists were happy with their present job in spite of the little odds and ends. Majority (57.4%) of them were able to balance their work and family life. However very fewer (10.6%) respondents preferred work life over family life. Overall the majority (72.3%) of the respondents were able to balance their work and family life. See tables 20 to 22.

 

CONCLUSION:

It has been observed from the present study that in health sector, the female pharmacists were happy with their job. Even though they had little odds and ends, they were able to balance their work and family life.

 

REFERENCES:

1.       Mani V. Work Life Balance and Women Professionals. Global Journal of Management and Business Research Interdisciplinary, 13(5); 2013:124-128.

2.       Kumari K T, Devi V R. Impact of Demographic Variables on Work Life Balance of Women Employees with special reference to Bangalore City).International Journal of Advances in Management and Economics, 1(6); 2010:119-127

3.       Heather M S, Morris M L, KateAtchley E .Constructs of the Work/Life interface: A synthesis of the Literature and Introduction of the Concept of Work/Life Harmony. Human Resource Development Review,10(1);2011:6-25

4.       Krishna Reddy N, Vranda M N, Ahmed A, Nirmala B P, Siddaramu B. Work Life Balance among married women employees. India Journal of Psychological Medicine, 32(2); 2010:112-118.

5.       Singh A. A study on the perception of work life balance policies among software professionals. IUP Journal of Management Research, 9(2); 2010:51-29.

6.       Malhotra, N. K. Marketing research: An applied orientation. Pearson education Inc, New Jersey.2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Received on 11.07.2017         Modified on 24.08.2017

Accepted on 12.12.2017      © RJPT All right reserved