Purpose : The present study investigated the mediating role of work-life balance on the relationship between workplace spirituality, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction among banking sector employees in Northern India.

Methodology : The study followed a descriptive cross-sectional research design using a survey approach in the form of a questionnaire. Data were collected from 218 employees in both public and private sector banks in northern India and were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings : The study’s findings suggested that the perception of work-life balance fully mediated the relationship between meaningfulness in work and its outcomes. However, when it comes to alignment with organizational values, work-life balance serves as a partial mediator in the relationship.

Practical Implications : The study provided important implications for management practitioners to adopt work-life balance policies in order to fully realize the benefits of workplace spirituality.

Originality : The study has filled an important research gap in the mediation effect of work-life balance vis-à-vis the impact of workplace spirituality on organizational commitment and job satisfaction, especially in the Indian context.

1. Aftab, J., Sarwar, H., Kiran, A., Qureshi, M. I., Ishaq, M. I., Ambreen, S., & Kayani, A. J. (2023). Ethical leadership, workplace spirituality, and job satisfaction: Moderating role of self-efficacy. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 18(12), 5880-5899. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-07-2021-1121
2. Allen, T. D. (2012). The work-family role interface: A synthesis of the research from industrial and organizational psychology. In I. Weiner (ed.), Handbook of psychology (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118133880.hop212026
3. Arbuckle, J. L. (2012). IBM® SPSS® AmosTM 21 user's guide. IBM Corp. https://www.sussex.ac.uk/its/pdfs/Amos_20_User_Guide.pdf
4. Ashmos, D. P., & Duchon, D. (2000). Spirituality at work: A conceptualization and measure. Journal of Management Inquiry, 9(2), 134-145. https://doi.org/10.1177/105649260092008
5. Bantha, T., Panda, T. K., & Sahni, S. P. (2021). Growing from the inside out: An exploratory investigation into the construct - spirituality. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 14(4), 8-21. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2021/v14i4/158722
6. Bocean, C. G., Popescu, L., Varzaru, A. A., Avram, C. D., & Iancu, A. (2023). Work-life balance and employee satisfaction during COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability, 15(15), Article no. 11631. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511631
7. Brayfield, A. H., & Rothe, H. F. (1951). An index of job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 35(5), 307-311. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0055617
8. Brough, P., Timms, C., O'Driscoll, M. P., Kalliath, T., Siu, O.-L., Sit, C., & Lo, D. (2014). Work-life balance: A longitudinal evaluation of a new measure across Australia and New Zealand workers. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 25(19), 2724-2744. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2014.899262
9. Chand, P., & Koul, H. (2012). Workplace spirituality, organizational emotional ownership and job satisfaction as moderators in coping with job stress. In International Conference on Humanities, Economics and Geography (ICHEG'2012) (pp. 225-229). Decision Making.
10. Chandel, S., Chanda, K., & Chandel, K. (2023). Factors influencing organizational commitment, job involvement, and work-life balance among employees of banks: An analysis. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 16(7), 43-58. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2023/v16i7/172927
11. Chawla, V., & Guda, S. (2010). Individual spirituality at work and its relationship with job satisfaction, propensity to leave and job commitment: An exploratory study among sales professionals. Journal of Human Values, 16(2), 157-167. https://doi.org/10.1177/097168581001600203
12. Clark, S. C. (2000). Work/family border theory: A new theory of work/family balance. Human Relations, 53(6), 747-770. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726700536001
13. Curry, J. P., Wakefield, D. S., Price, J. L., & Mueller, C. W. (1986). On the causal ordering of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Academy of Management Journal, 29(4), 847-858. https://doi.org/10.2307/255951
14. de Klerk, J. J. (2005). Spirituality, meaning in life, and work wellness: A research agenda. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 13(1), 64-68. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb028998
15. Dilmaghani, M., & Tabvuma, V. (2019). The gender gap in work-life balance satisfaction across occupations. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 34(5), 398-428. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-09-20180109
16. Dinesh, T. K., & Shetty, A. (2023). Effectiveness of dispositional mindfulness on mental health markers and well-being in employees of the service industry: A systematic evidence synthesis. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 16(10), 8-31. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2023/v16i10/170965
17. Dust, S. B., & Greenhaus, J. H. (2013). Spirituality and the work-home interface: A demands-resources perspective. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 10(3), 282-305. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2013.801029
18. Field, A. (2019). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (4th ed.). SAGE South Asia. https://in.sagepub.com/en-in/sas/discovering-statistics-using-ibm-spss-statistics/book245090
19. Gaskin, J., & Lim, J. (2016). Master validity tool, AMOS Plugin [Computer software]. https://statwiki.gaskination.com/index.php/Plugins
20. Giacalone, R. A., & Jurkiewicz, C. L. (2010). Handbook of workplace spirituality and organizational performance (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315703817
21. Goel, M., & Verma, J. P. (2021). Workplace stress and coping mechanism in a cohort of Indian service industry. Asia Pacific Management Review, 26(3), 113-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2020.10.001
22. Groysberg, B., & Abrahams, R. (2014). Manage your work, manage your life. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2014/03/manage-your-work-manage-your-life
23. Grzywacz, J. G., & Carlson, D. S. (2007). Conceptualizing work-family balance: Implications for practice and research. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 9(4), 455-471. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422307305487
24. Hassan, Z., Tnay, J. S., Yososudarmo, S. M., & Sabil, S. (2021). The relationship between workplace spirituality and work-to-family enrichment in selected public sector organizations in Malaysia. Journal of Religion and Health, 60(6), 4132-4150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00971-y
25. Hunsaker, W. D., & Jeong, W. (2023). Spiritual leadership and work-life balance. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 20(1), 27-52. https://doi.org/10.51327/HSSF4468
26. Jena, L. K., & Pradhan, R. K. (2014). Workplace spirituality and work-life balance: An empirical introspection in Indian manufacturing industries. International Journal of Applied Psychology, 4(4), 155-161. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.ijap.20140404.04
27. Jeon, K. S., & Choi, B. K. (2021). Workplace spirituality, organizational commitment and life satisfaction: The moderating role of religious affiliation. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 34(5), 1125-1143. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-01-2021-0012
28. Joshi, A., Sunny, N., & Vashisht, S. (2017). Recent trends in HRM: A qualitative analysis using AHP. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 10(10), 41-52. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2017/v10i10/118814
29. Kala, K., Akbar Jan, N., Subramani, A. K., & Banureka, R. (2017). Upshot of occupational stress on work life balance of employees working in information technology organizations in Chennai. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 10(7), 50-59. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2017/v10i7/116494
30. Kalliath, T., & Brough, P. (2008). Work-life balance: A review of the meaning of the balance construct. Journal of Management & Organization, 14(3), 323-327. https://doi.org/10.5172/jmo.837.14.3.323
31. Kinjerski, V. M., & Skrypnek, B. J. (2004). Defining spirit at work: Finding common ground. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 17(1), 26-42. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534810410511288
32. Kirby, L., Zolkoski, S. M., O'Brien, K., Mathew, J., Kennedy, B., & Sass, S. M. (2023). Examining staff and faculty work-life balance and well-being using the dual continua model of mental health during COVID-19. Journal of Happiness and Health, 3(1), 34-48. https://doi.org/10.47602/johah.v3i1.31
33. Lele, A. (2023, September 18). Private bank headcount closes in on public sector bank tally: RBI data. Business Standard. https://www.business-standard.com/industry/banking/private-bank-headcount-just-inches-away-from-psb-tally-shows-rbi-data-123091800614_1.html
34. Liang, H.-R., Liang, H.-L., & Sun, C.-K. (2016). Coping with negative work experience and work-related family issues: Spirituality as a buffer against emotional exhaustion and work-family conflict. Asian Business Research, 1(1), 42-54. https://doi.org/10.20849/abr.v1i1.13
35. Lin, Y., Jiang, C., Pan, Y., & Xu, Z. (2024). The impact of mindfulness on nurses' perceived professional benefits: The mediating roles of workplace spirituality and work-life balance. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article ID 1346326. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1346326
36. Luturlean, B. S., Prasetio, A. P., Anggadwita, G., & Hanura, F. (2021). Does work-life balance mediate the relationship between HR practices and affective organisational commitment? Perspective of a telecommunication industry in Indonesia. International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, 18(2), 154-172. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJLIC.2021.114603
37. Maben, A. S., & Uchil, R. (2019). Talent management strategies and customer delight: A conceptual study. Indian Journal of Marketing, 49(3), 63-71. https://doi.org/10.17010/ijom/2019/v49/i3/142147
38. Milliman, J., Czaplewski, A. J., & Ferguson, J. (2003). Workplace spirituality and employee work attitudes: An exploratory empirical assessment. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 16(4), 426-447. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534810310484172
39. Mittal, K., Singh, K., & Sharma, G. (2017). Work - life balance and employee health: A cross-sectional analysis of manufacturing and service sectors. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 10(7), 34-49. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2017/v10i7/116493
40. Mottaz, C. J. (1988). Determinants of organizational commitment. Human Relations, 41(6), 467-482. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872678804100604
41. Munn, S. L., & Lee, H.-Y. (2014). Work-life balance. In R. F. Poell, T. S. Rocco, & G. L. Roth (eds.), The Routledge companion to human resource development (1st ed., pp. 552-561). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203386446
42. Nabawanuka, H., & Ekmekcioglu, E. B. (2022). Millennials in the workplace: Perceived supervisor support, work-life balance and employee well-being. Industrial and Commercial Training, 54(1), 123-144. https://doi.org/10.1108/ICT-05-2021-0041
43. Nunnally, J. C. (1978). An overview of psychological measurement. In B. B. Wolman (ed.), Clinical diagnosis of mental disorders (pp. 97-146). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2490-4_4
44. Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J.-Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879-903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879
45. Pradhan, R. K., Jena, L. K., & Kumari, I. G. (2016). Effect of work-life balance on organizational citizenship behaviour: Role of organizational commitment. Global Business Review, 17(3_suppl), 15S-29S. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972150916631071
46. Preet, K., & Ahluwalia, A. K. (2019). Factors of stress amongst students of professional institutes. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 12(6), 31-40. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2019/v12i6/144934
47. Raj, A. B., Ambreesh, P., Tripathi, N. N., & Kumar, A. A. (2023). Workplace spirituality and job satisfaction among teachers: Influence of well-being and spiritual leadership. International Journal of Educational Management, 37(6/7), 1303-1322. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-03-2023-0110
48. Raj, I. A., & Julius, S. (2018). Causes and consequences of work stress and coping behaviour of employees: An analysis. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 11(3), 24-38. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2018/v11i3/122075
49. Rathi, S., & Kumar, P. (2023). Work-life balance and work-life conflict: A bibliometric analysis. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 16(8), 45-64. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2023/v16i8/173064
50. Raza, M. Y., Kazmi, S. M., Batool, I., Anjum, F. A., & Rasheed, M. (2022). Moderating role of spirituality between occupational stress and work-family conflict among COVID-19 rescue responders. Pakistan Journal of Medical & Health Sciences, 16(8), 608-613. https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs22168608
51. Rego, A., & Pina e Cunha, M. (2008). Workplace spirituality and organizational commitment: An empirical study. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 21(1), 53-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/09534810810847039
52. Rego, A., & Souto, S. (2004). Organizational commitment in authentic organizations: A Portuguese-Brazilian study. Revista de Administracao de Empresas, 44(3), 30-43. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-75902004000300004
53. Ruzevicius, J., & Valiukaite, J. (2017). Quality of life and quality of work life balance: Case study of public and private sectors of Lithuania. Quality Management, 18(157), 77-81.
54. Salim, N. H., Wijayanti, D. T., & Witjaksono, A. D. (2020). The effect of workplace spirituality on affective commitment and turnover intention: Case study on construction industry. International Journal of Management, Innovation & Entrepreneurial Research, 6(2), 23-38. https://doi.org/10.18510/ijmier.2020.623
55. Sapta, I. K., Rustiarini, N. W., Kusuma, I. G., & Astakoni, I. M. (2021). Spiritual leadership and organizational commitment: The mediation role of workplace spirituality. Cogent Business & Management, 8(1), Article ID 1966865. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1966865
56. Sav, A. (2019). The role of religion in work-life interface. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 30(22), 3223-3244. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2016.1255905
57. Saxena, A., Garg, N., Punia, B. K., & Prasad, A. (2020). Exploring role of Indian workplace spirituality in stress management: A study of oil and gas industry. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 33(5), 779-803. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-11-2019-0327
58. Saxena, V. (2024). A review of occupational mental health status in India. Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences, 23(1), 1-6. https://www.ojhas.org/issue89/2024-1-3.html
59. Selvarajan, T. T., Singh, B., Stringer, D., & Chapa, O. (2020). Work-family conflict and well-being: Moderating role of spirituality. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 17(5), 419-438. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766086.2020.1796768
60. Shabir, S., & Gani, A. (2020). Impact of work-life balance on organizational commitment of women health-care workers: Structural modeling approach. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 28(4), 917-939. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-07-2019-1820
61. Sheep, M. L. (2004). Nailing down gossamer: A valid measure of the person-organization fit of workplace spirituality. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2004(1), B1-B6. https://doi.org/10.5465/ambpp.2004.13862520
62. Sheikh, A. M. (2023). Impact of perceived organizational support on organizational commitment of banking employees: Role of work-life balance. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 17(1), 79-99. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-02-2021-0071
63. Sudhindra, S., Kumar, G. V., & Valarmathi, B. (2020). Work-life balance among women Anganwadi workers in Bengaluru. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 13(3), 20-34. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2020/v13i3/151177
64. Susanto, P., Hoque, M. E., Jannat, T., Emely, B., Zona, M. A., & Islam, M. A. (2022). Work-life balance, job satisfaction, and job performance of SMEs employees: The moderating role of family-supportive supervisor behaviors. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article ID 906876. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.906876
65. Thawinratna, P. (2023). The impact of workplace spirituality, psychological capital, and perceived organizational support on happiness at work, mediated by work engagement, work-life balance, and career satisfaction, among nurses in Bangkok (Doctoral dissertation, Assumption University). Graduate School of Human Sciences.
66. Tran, M. A., Vo-Thanh, T., Soliman, M., Ha, A. T., & Van Pham, M. (2024). Could mindfulness diminish mental health disorders? The serial mediating role of self-compassion and psychological well-being. Current Psychology, 43(15), 13909-13922. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03421-3
67. Virick, M., Lilly, J. D., & Casper, W. J. (2007). Doing more with less: An analysis of work-life balance among layoff survivors. Career Development International, 12(5), 463-480. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620430710773772
68. Zhang, S. (2020). Workplace spirituality and unethical pro-organizational behavior: The mediating effect of job satisfaction. Journal of Business Ethics, 161(3), 687-705. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-018-3966-3