Impact of Employment Factors on Quality of Work Life among Teachers in Self-Financing Colleges of Ernakulam District

Abstract

The rapid expansion of self-financing colleges in Kerala has significantly altered the higher education employment situation, often introducing challenging working conditions for faculty members. This study investigates the impact of employment-related factors on the Quality of Work Life (QWL) among teachers in self-financing colleges of Ernakulam District. Using a structured questionnaire, primary data were collected from 312 faculty members selected through stratified random sampling. QWL was measured across multiple dimensions, including work quality, life quality, work-life balance, stress and well-being, organisational support, career growth and security, job satisfaction, and financial aspects. Employment-related variables considered in the analysis include employment type, level of teaching, class size, percentage of time spent on non-teaching activities, administrative responsibilities, participation in professional development programs, teaching experience, and number of courses handled. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings reveal significant variations in QWL across employment types, teaching levels, class sizes, and non-teaching workload. Permanent faculty reported higher QWL scores compared to contract and temporary staff. Faculty handling larger classes or spending excessive time on non-teaching tasks experienced lower QWL. Regression results identified professional development participation as a positive determinant of QWL, while non-teaching workload exerted a negative impact. The study emphasises the need for institutional policy reforms focusing on equitable workload distribution, enhanced job security, and continuous professional development opportunities.