International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Tejas N Patel and Dr. Mehul G Thakkar

abstract
Work life occupies an important place in the total life space of any employee; and has a profound influence on his/her job behaviours. This being the reason; how people feel, perceive and what they think about their working life; has always remained a major concern area for the organizational authorities. Hence, increasing numbers of organizations are showing concern about maintaining and improving the Quality of Work Life (QWL), of their real assets – the employees. The same is true even for the Sugar Co-operatives in the vibrant state of Gujarat. They have to work for creating congenial QWL and induce the employees to ignite the inner urge to contribute their level best, and develop a sense of belongingness; as QWL is an integral aspect of organizational success, having direct bearing on satisfaction, motivation, and overall wellbeing of the employees. This empirical study investigates the prominent factors influencing QWL of employees in Sugar Co-operatives of Gujarat. Utilizing the communication approach of the cross-sectional descriptive research design, primary data were collected from 300 employees, selected by adopting simple random sampling method, across three leading Sugar Co-operatives. By using Garrett Ranking Method, the data were analyzed and the findings highlight that adequate and fair compensation, work-life balance, and constitutionalism are pivotal in fostering employee engagement, reducing turnover, and enhancing productivity. Despite the significant role of QWL programs, the study reveals gaps in their implementation, with limited emphasis on employee motivation and periodic evaluation. This research underscores the importance of a holistic approach to improving QWL, aligning organizational practices with employee needs for sustained growth and competitiveness.