ABSTRACT
The study sought to explore the effect of workplace environment on the performance of employees among Health Care Providers with focus on Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital. The Specific objectives for this study were; to establish the relationships between physical environment, psychosocial environment and work life balance respectively on employee performance among Health Care Providers at Fort Portal Referral Hospital. The study used a cross sectional research design where the data on the study variables were collected at the same point in time. The study population involved comprised of 324 Health Care Providers at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda of which 140 were considered for the study, however 122 responded. They included Administrative staff, Doctors, Nurses, Lab officers and Pharmacists. The study established that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between physical environment and workers’ performance (r =0.218, p<0.05); a statistically significant positive relationship between psychosocial environment and workers performance (r =0.221, p<0.05) and; a statistically insignificant relationship between work life balances and workers performance (r =0.147, p>0.05). However, the study found that work environment has a significant effect on employee performance in Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital (R2= 0.11, p<0.05). Recommend were made that management of the hospital should always try to create a conducive workplace environment that aid the performance of work. They should also place a lot of emphasis on the physical and psychosocial environment to improve performance, efficiency, better morale and increased customer satisfaction. This is very much important in the Health Care sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the standard operating procedures it calls for. Health Care Providers and management of Fort Portal Referral Hospital are further encouraged to maintain good communication in the workplace that involves workers in the progress and application of healthy and safe workplace practices that balances work and family responsibilities.
Keywords: Workplace Environment, Employee Performance, COVID-19, Uganda.