The Influence of Work-Life Balance and Career Development on Employee Performance Mediated by Job Satisfaction at the Semarang Tengah Primary Tax Service Office

Abstract

This study investigates the direct and indirect impacts of work-life balance and career development on employee performance at the Semarang Tengah Primary Tax Service Office (KPP Pratama Semarang Tengah), utilizing job satisfaction as a mediating variable. An explanatory quantitative design was applied. Data were gathered via a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire administered to all 78 employees using a census technique. The analysis was executed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS 3.2.9. Findings reveal that while work-life balance does not significantly impact performance directly, both career development and job satisfaction positively and significantly enhance employee performance. Additionally, work-life balance and career development significantly boost job satisfaction, with career development being the most influential factor. Job satisfaction serves as a full mediator for the relationship between work-life balance and performance, and as a partial mediator for the link between career development and performance. These results align with Social Exchange Theory, suggesting that organizational support translates into improved performance only when it fosters employee job satisfaction first.