TDNet Discover

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to investigate the identified problem of increased employee burnout and decreased job retention following the return to onsite requirements post COVID-19 for approximately forty participants in a public sector organization. For the utility of this study, the identified problem of increased employee burnout and a decrease in job retention post COVID-19 return to onsite requirements will be generally defined as poor work-life balance. The theory guiding this study is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which describes the basic human needs of an individual that contribute to wellness and to fulfilling one’s potential to live and contribute effectively to society. The study will use Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as the theoretical framework. The research design will be an ethnographic qualitative approach observing participants in places of work. The primary questions and observations will focus on the perspectives and impacts of the workforce relating to work-life balance and work flexibility. The study setting will be multiple geographically separated organizational sites located in Virginia, Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Alabama, Ohio, and Utah. Data collection methods include content analysis, observations, and interviews. Data analysis for each method will include identification of objectives, goal definition, preparation, planning, recording, analysis, and documentation. The anticipated results of the study will be identified solutions to implement work flexibility policy and practice within the organization, increase a healthy work life balance for the workforce, and improve employee wellness.