PERAN WORK STRESS DALAM MEMEDIASI PENGARUH WORK-LIFE BALANCE TERHADAP TURNOVER INTENTION KARYAWAN GENERASI Z DI KOTA GARUT

Abstract

This research aims to examine the influence of work-life balance on turnover intention in Generation Z workers located in Garut City, with work stress acting as a mediating factor. The study utilises an explanatory quantitative approach through a survey method. Purposive sampling was used to distribute a five-point Likert scale questionnaire to 100 Generation Z respondents in Garut City, ages 18 to 28, from a variety of industry sectors Analysis of the data was conducted with the PLS-SEM approach through the SmartPLS 4 software. The results reveal that work-life balance exerts a negative and significant impact on turnover intention, either directly or indirectly the work stress mediating factor. Furthermore, turnover intention is revealed to be significantly positively impacted by work stress. The findings imply that poor alignment between professional and personal spheres heightens job-related stress, which subsequently strengthens Generation Z employees’ intention to leave their organization. This research adds to the human resource management literature by highlighting work stress a crucial psychological mechanism linking work-life balance and turnover intention, particularly within non-metropolitan settings.