Conflicting work-family lives as drivers of work tension and turnover intention in a construction company in southern Gauteng

Author : Patrick Radebe

Abstract : Purpose of the study: The primary objective was to probe the predictive association between work-family conflict, family-work conflict, work tension, and turnover intention among construction employees at a construction company. Effective management of these work-family lives could improve the work-life balance for construction employees, resulting in lower levels of work tension and turnover intention. Design/Methodology/Approach: A descriptive research design and a quantitative research approach were utilised. Participants were selected using the non-probability convenience sampling technique. Only 285 questionnaires were completed and retrieved, representing a return rate of 71.25%. Data were analysed using SPSS and AMOS version 28. Data analysis was executed through descriptive statistics, such as frequencies for biographical information. SEM was invoked to assess the fitness of the measurement and structural models, after which the path analysis was performed. Findings: The SEM demonstrated acceptable fitness for the measurement and structural models. Path analysis further confirmed a predictive relationship between work-family conflict and work tension, family work conflict and work tension, work-family conflict and turnover intention, and work tension and turnover intention. Recommendations/Value: Efforts at harmonising work-family conflict and family-work conflict should be robustly implemented because empirical evidence demonstrates these are the root causes of work tension and turnover intention among construction employees in this construction company.

Keywords : Work-Family Conflict; Work Tension; Turnover Intention; Construction Employees

Conference Name : International Conference on Organizational Culture and Human Resource Management (ICOCHRM-26)

Conference Place : Cape Town, South Africa

Conference Date : 11th Sep 2026