Employee Engagement and Quality of Work Life in Health Facilities: Evidence from Machakos County Government, Kenya

Abstract

This study examined the influence of employee engagement on Quality of Work Life (QWL) among healthcare workers in public health facilities in Machakos County, Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted, with data collected from 195 healthcare workers using structured questionnaires measured on a five-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and ordinal logistic regression. Findings revealed moderate to high levels of employee engagement (M = 3.82, SD = 1.10), with significant differences across professional cadres (F(3,191) = 6.45, p < .001). Ordinal regression results indicated that employee engagement significantly predicts QWL (OR = 1.72, p < .001), implying that higher engagement substantially increases the likelihood of improved work-life quality. The study concludes that employee engagement is a critical driver of employee well-being and organizational effectiveness. It recommends strengthening participatory leadership, communication, recognition systems, and teamwork to enhance QWL and service delivery in public health facilities.