Effect of Perceived Family Conflicts on Employee Performance at the Rural Border Patrol Unit, Kanyonyoo, Kitui County

Abstract

To determine the effect of family conflict on employee performance of at the rural Border Patrol Unit, Kanyonyoo, Kitui County was the study objective. Descriptive survey research design was utilized for this study.Employees at the Rural Border Patrol Unit, Kanyonyoo which has two thousand five hundred and two employees constituted the study population. This study utilized simple random sampling. The study took the population and used ten percent to arrive at the two hundred and fifty sample size of those to be issued with the questionnaires. Primary data from the selected respondents was collected through semi structured questionnares. The researcher distributed the questionnaire to the two hundred and fifty police officers at their places of work. Through drop and pick later, the questionnares were administered. Information gathered was checked for completeness and just completely and appropriately filled questionnaire was considered for examination. The checking was to guarantee the information is precise, predictable with the certainties accumulated, consistently entered as totally as would be prudent and had been all around masterminded to encourage coding and organization. The questionnaires found fit for analysis were coded and the raw data entered Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS version 21) where further analysis was done. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to answer the research question and the objective of the study. In addition to calculating the mean and the standard variation of the variables of the study, results from the analysis was presented in form of tables and figures for ease of interpretation and understanding linear regression analysis was also used. The study concludes that family conflict negatively influence employee performance. The research concludes that lack of communication, immediate transparency and discussion of family finance, infidelity, parenting difficulties, in-laws and extended family that consistently interfere with family decisions and sickness cause to family conflict. The study concludes that family conflict does not affect employee performance as it does not hinder timely delivery of services, quality of work and the ability to work without supervision. The research recommends that individuals in a relationships and married couples should ensure that they enhance proper and effective communication by focusing on immediate transparency and should jointly discuss and agree on family finance, avoid infidelity and jointly undertake parenting responsibilities. The study also recommends that individuals in a relationships and married couples should ensure that they in-laws and extended family do not interfere with family decisions and should to take up medical insurance such as NHIF for family members under their care to avoid conflict during sickness of a family member. It recommends further research on the same topic in other industries like education and health sectors and also the entire police force and also employees who stay with their families.