WORK LIFE INTEGRATION AND TEAM MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IMO STATE

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between work-life integration and team management in public senior secondary schools in Imo State, Nigeria. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the investigation. A correctional research design was adopted. The population consisted of 8,201 teachers across 396 public senior secondary schools, from which a proportionate sample of 410 public senior secondary schools, from which a proportionate sample of 410 teachers was drawn. Data were collected using a self-developed instrument title work-life integration and Team Management Questionnaire. The internal consistency of the instrument, assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, yielded reliability coefficients of 0.82 for work-life integration and 0.81 for team management. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation was used to answer the research questions, while Z-ratio statistics tested the hypotheses at the 0.05 level significance. The study was motivated by increasing concerns regarding teacher burnout, declining morale, poor teamwork, heavy workloads, inadequate communication and difficulties integrating professional and personal responsibilities. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between collaboration and teacher productivity. The study concluded that effective work-life integration and team management-characterized by collaboration, communication, division of labour, social support, dedication and management of domestic responsibilities enhance teacher productivity. It was recommend that teachers strengthen collaboration with colleagues and key stakeholders to improve productivity in public senior secondary schools.