Work Schedule and Family Life of Married Women in the Nigerian Banking Industry: A Study of Selected Banks in Lagos

Abstract

The changing role of women in contemporary time has been widely acknowledged in literature. One of the prominent sectors where women have made  tremendous inroad is the formal sector employment, particularly the highly competitive and volatile banking industry. Given the peculiarity of this sector,  the dual roles of women in the home and workplace have posed some challenges worth investigating. This study, therefore, aims to examine the
implications of work schedule on the family life of women bankers in Lagos, Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey conducted among women bankers in 16 branches of three selected Bank groups in Lagos. A sample size of 220 women bankers was selected from these branches. The instrument used was questionnaire and complemented with in-depth interviews. The findings revealed women bankers as good reference point of dual career women. Their work life was found to have affected their active involvement in domestic and some major family functions. Balancing the demand of work and family was a challenge and posed some specific costs. Specific interventions as applicable to the home, workplace and government are suggested towards achieving family wellbeing and pleasant work life for the women.