Organizational conditions, work-life balance and work ability of healthcare workers

This study examines work ability, defined as the balance between personal resources and job demands. It is considered a key indicator of sustainable employability, a critical issue in the healthcare context. Specifically, it analyzes how job resources and demands shape employees' work ability and evaluates the role of work-life balance as a potential mediator of these relationships.

We estimate structural equation modeling (SEM) using STATA 18 on a sample of 443 healthcare workers at the University Hospital of Modena (Italy).

Our findings show that supportive supervisors, work autonomy and discretion positively influence work ability. Work-life balance emerges as a crucial mediator of the relationships between work autonomy, work intensification and employee work ability.

These results underscore the crucial role of organizational practices in bolstering work ability and well-being. Key priorities include enhancing leadership quality through training and mentoring initiatives. Equally important is fostering work-life balance by enhancing employee autonomy and involvement in key decisions related to their work.

This paper contributes to the literature by providing an in-depth analysis of job demands and resources affecting work ability in the healthcare sector. Furthermore, it is the first study to evaluate the mediating role of work-life balance in this specific context.