Main Article Content
Abstract
A high employee turnover rate can lead to substantial losses in both productivity and costs for a company. Therefore, organizations must prioritize employee retention and consider the factors that influence it. This study examines the effect of work–life balance on employee retention, the effect of employee engagement on employee retention, and the mediating role of employee engagement in the relationship between work–life balance and the retention of Generation Z employees working in coffee shops in Pontianak. Data were collected using Google Forms and a snowball sampling technique. The data were analyzed using WARPPLS 7.0, with 221 coffee shop employees in Pontianak serving as respondents. The results show that work–life balance has a significant positive effect on both employee engagement and employee retention. Furthermore, employee engagement has a significant positive effect on employee retention and significantly mediates the relationship between work–life balance and employee retention. The findings of this study contribute to the development of knowledge, particularly in human resource management, by providing insights into the relationship between work–life balance and employee retention, as well as the mediating role of employee engagement.
Keywords
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
- Ahmed, S., Ashrafi, D. M., Ahmed, R., Ahmed, E., & Azim, M. (2024). How employee engagement mediate the training and development and work–life balance towards job performance of the private banks? The TQM Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-10-2023-0316
- Alias, N. E., Noor, N. M., & Hassan, R. (2014). Examining the Mediating Effect of Employee Engagement on the Relationship between Talent Management Practices and Employee Retention in the Information and Technology (IT) Organizations in Malaysia. In Online) Journal of Human Resources Management and Labor Studies (Vol. 2, Issue 2).
- Andrlić, B., Ali, T., & Ramanathan, H. N. (2025). Balancing act: exploring the mediating role of work–life balance on improving work engagement through organisational support. Journal of Management Development, 44(1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-01-2024-0031
- Arief, N. R., Purwana, D., & Saptono, A. (2021). The International Journal of Social Sciences World Effect of Quality Work of Life (QWL) and Work-Life Balance on Job Satisfaction through Employee Engagement as Intervening Variables. The International Journal of Social Sciences World TIJOSSW, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5068429
- Asaria, H., Mansyur, A., Ekonomika dan Bisnis, F., & Stikubank Semarang, U. (2024). The Role Of Motivation On Employee Engagement. COSTING: Journal of Economic, Business and Accounting, 7(3), 4174–4183.
- Astuti, R. R., Prabowo, H., & Puspitasari, R. H. U. (2023). The Effect Of Compensation And Work-Life Balance On Employee Retention Through Work Satisfaction (Case Study At PT Sandang Asia Maju Abadi Semarang). Stability: Journal of Management and Business, 6(1), 39–62. https://doi.org/10.26877/sta.v6i1.16270
- BITA BAGHERI. (2025, August 12). Generation Z & High Turnover Rate in the Workplace. Https://Fledgeworks.Com/Generation-z-High-Turnover-Rate/.
- Diena Achmada, F., & Eko Soetjipto, B. (2022). LITERACY : International Scientific Journals Of Social, Education and Humanities The Effect Of Talent Management On Employee Engagement And Employee Retention In Improving Employee Performance. 1(3). http://jurnal-stiepari.ac.id/index.php/LITERACY
- Dunan, Hendri, & Halim, B. N. (2025). Pengaruh Work-Life Balance Dan Kepuasan Gaji Terhadap Retensi Karyawan Pada CV. Serba Plastik Bandar Lampung. YUME : Journal of Management, 8(1), 624–632.
- Dutta, A. B., & Banerjee, S. (2014). Study Of Employee Retention. In International Journal of Business Management & Research (IJBMR), ISSN(P (Vol. 4).
- Ekhsan, M., Badrianto, Y., & Suwandi, S. (2023). Digital Talent on Employee Retention: the Role of Employee Engagement as Mediation. Journal of Law and Sustainable Development, 11(10), e1121. https://doi.org/10.55908/sdgs.v11i10.1121
- Fauzan Nabil, A., & Ekowati, D. (2025). Dampak implementasi sustainable human resource management practices terhadap intention to stay. Jurnal Ilmiah MEA (Manajemen, Ekonomi, Dan Akuntansi), 9(1), 282–301. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31955/mea.v9i1.4894
- Ghani, B., Zada, M., Memon, K. R., Ullah, R., Khattak, A., Han, H., Ariza-Montes, A., & Araya-Castillo, L. (2022). Challenges and Strategies for Employee Retention in the Hospitality Industry: A Review. In Sustainability (Switzerland) (Vol. 14, Issue 5). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052885
- Greenhaus, J. H., Collins, K. M., & Shaw, J. D. (2003). The relation between work–family balance and quality of life. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 63(3), 510–531. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-8791(02)00042-8
- Hair, J. F. B. W. C. . B. B. J. . & A. R. E. (2009). Multivariate data analysis ((7th ed.)). Prentice-Hall.
- Handoko, S., Tumbur, W., Tobing, M. L., & Setyawan, R. (2024). Dampak Work-Life Balance terhadap Retensi Karyawan: Studi Kuantitatif pada Generasi Milenial dan Gen Z. Jurnal Manajemen Sosial Ekonomi (DINAMIKA), 4(1), 279–288. http://journal.stiestekom.ac.id/index.php/dinamika
- Hassan, A. G., Donianto, C. A., Kiolol, T. J., & Abd, T. M. (2022). Pengaruh Talent Management Dan Work-Life Balance Terhadap Retensi Karyawan Dengan Mediasi Dukungan Organisasi. Modus, 34(2), 158–183. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24002/modus.v34i2.5966
- Hendriana, E., Christoper, A., Zain, H. O. A., & Pricilia, N. (2023). The Role of Employer Branding in Work-life Balance and Employee Retention Relationship among Generation Z Workers: Mediation or Moderation? Jurnal Manajemen Teori Dan Terapan| Journal of Theory and Applied Management, 16(1), 124–143. https://doi.org/10.20473/jmtt.v16i1.41703
- Hytter, A. (2007). Retention strategies in France and Sweden. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285799771
- Inegbedion, H. E. (2024). Work-life balance and employee commitment: mediating effect of job satisfaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1349555
- Jati Prasetyo, W., & Putra Buana Sakti, D. (2023). Pengaruh Sistem Pola Karir Dan Sistem Manajemen Talenta, Employee Engagement Terhadap Retensi Karyawan. Jurnal Ilmiah Mandala Education (JIME), 9(1), 124–131. https://doi.org/10.58258/jime.v9i1.4268/http
- Kavya, M. L., & Padmavathy, G. (2017). Employee Engagement: A Review of Engagement Models. Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR, 3(2).
- Khoirunnisa, S., Jhoansyah, D., Nurmala, R., Bisnis, J. A., & Sukabumi, U. M. (2024). The Influence Of Supportive Work Environment, Work-Life Balance, And Organizational Culture On Employee Retention (Survey On Yayasan Pendidikan Islam At-Tartil Sukabumi). Costing:Journal of Economic, Business and Accounting, 7(4), 9112–9121. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31539/costing.v7i4.10847
- Lin, Z., Gu, H., Gillani, K. Z., & Fahlevi, M. (2024). Impact of Green Work–Life Balance and Green Human Resource Management Practices on Corporate Sustainability Performance and Employee Retention: Mediation of Green Innovation and Organisational Culture. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156621
- Made, G., Widiantara, A. B., Hanna, I., Sihombing, H., Desak, N., Santi Diwyarthi, M., Perhotelan, P. P., & Bali, P. (2025). Pengaruh Work-Life Balance dan Budaya Organisasi terhadap Turnover Intention Karyawan CK Hotel. Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Business (RIGGS), 4(3), 6729–6733. https://doi.org/10.31004/riggs.v4i3.2527
- Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory (2nd ed). McGraw-Hill.
- Ridho Lazuardi Wahyudi, & Odi Jarodi. (2025). Peran Employee Engagement dalam Meningkatkan Loyalitas Karyawan. Digital Bisnis: Jurnal Publikasi Ilmu Manajemen Dan E-Commerce, 4(1), 198–208. https://doi.org/10.30640/digital.v4i1.3889
- Saks, A. M. (2006). Antecedents and consequences of employee engagement. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 21(7), 600–619. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940610690169
- Setiawan, I., & Prasojo, S. (2021). Effect of Talent Management and Employee Engagement on Turnover Intention with Employee Retention Mediation. Journal of Business, Management, and Accounting, 3(2), 55–3. http://e-journal.stie-kusumanegara.ac.id
- Sharma, D., Dhakal, H., & Sharma, A. (2025). Role of Internal Communication in Fostering Employee Engagement, Retention, and Organizational Commitment: A Case of Bhutanese Industries. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 25(4), 156–177. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajeba/2025/v25i41741
- Silaban, H., & Margaretha, M. (2021). The Impact of Work-Life Balance on Job Satisfaction and Employee Retention: A Study of Millennial Employees in Bandung City, Indonesia. International Journal of Innovation and Economic Development, 7(3), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.18775/ijied.1849-7551-7020.2015.73.2002
- Simran Raghuwanshi. (2023). Impact Of Work-Life Balance On Employee Retention And. National College of Ireland.
- Sinaga, O., & Sijabat, R. (2022). Analisis Pengaruh Employee Motivation, Employee Empowerment, Work Life Balance Terhadap Employee Retention Dengan Job Satisfaction Sebagai Variabel Mediasi pada PT XYZ. Jurnal Administrasi Bisnis (JAB, 12(1), 87–95. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.35797/jab.v12.i1.87-96
- Sopian, K., Hidayati, T., & Kusumawardani, A. (2022). Effect Of Work-Life Balance On Employee Engagement In Increasing Employee Performance. In American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (Issue 6). www.ajhssr.com
- Syal, A., Rosnani, T., Daud, I., Christiana, M., Kalis, I., & Hendri, M. I. (2024). The influence of reward, work-life balance on employee retention: The mediating effect of Job satisfaction, Generation Z employees in West Kalimantan. Journal of Management Science (JMAS), 7(1), 270–279. www.exsys.iocspublisher.org/index.php/JMAS
- Venkatesan, R. (2021). Measuring Work-Life Balance: Relationships With Work-Family Conflict And Family-Work Conflict. Journal of Strategic Human Resource Management, 10, 28–36. http://publishingindia.com/jshrm/
- Zainal, N. S. B., Wider, W., Lajuma, S., Ahmad Khadri, M. W. A. B., Taib, N. M., & Joseph, A. (2022). Employee Retention in the Service Industry in Malaysia. Frontiers in Sociology, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2022.928951
References
Ahmed, S., Ashrafi, D. M., Ahmed, R., Ahmed, E., & Azim, M. (2024). How employee engagement mediate the training and development and work–life balance towards job performance of the private banks? The TQM Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-10-2023-0316
Alias, N. E., Noor, N. M., & Hassan, R. (2014). Examining the Mediating Effect of Employee Engagement on the Relationship between Talent Management Practices and Employee Retention in the Information and Technology (IT) Organizations in Malaysia. In Online) Journal of Human Resources Management and Labor Studies (Vol. 2, Issue 2).
Andrlić, B., Ali, T., & Ramanathan, H. N. (2025). Balancing act: exploring the mediating role of work–life balance on improving work engagement through organisational support. Journal of Management Development, 44(1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-01-2024-0031
Arief, N. R., Purwana, D., & Saptono, A. (2021). The International Journal of Social Sciences World Effect of Quality Work of Life (QWL) and Work-Life Balance on Job Satisfaction through Employee Engagement as Intervening Variables. The International Journal of Social Sciences World TIJOSSW, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5068429
Asaria, H., Mansyur, A., Ekonomika dan Bisnis, F., & Stikubank Semarang, U. (2024). The Role Of Motivation On Employee Engagement. COSTING: Journal of Economic, Business and Accounting, 7(3), 4174–4183.
Astuti, R. R., Prabowo, H., & Puspitasari, R. H. U. (2023). The Effect Of Compensation And Work-Life Balance On Employee Retention Through Work Satisfaction (Case Study At PT Sandang Asia Maju Abadi Semarang). Stability: Journal of Management and Business, 6(1), 39–62. https://doi.org/10.26877/sta.v6i1.16270
BITA BAGHERI. (2025, August 12). Generation Z & High Turnover Rate in the Workplace. Https://Fledgeworks.Com/Generation-z-High-Turnover-Rate/.
Diena Achmada, F., & Eko Soetjipto, B. (2022). LITERACY : International Scientific Journals Of Social, Education and Humanities The Effect Of Talent Management On Employee Engagement And Employee Retention In Improving Employee Performance. 1(3). http://jurnal-stiepari.ac.id/index.php/LITERACY
Dunan, Hendri, & Halim, B. N. (2025). Pengaruh Work-Life Balance Dan Kepuasan Gaji Terhadap Retensi Karyawan Pada CV. Serba Plastik Bandar Lampung. YUME : Journal of Management, 8(1), 624–632.
Dutta, A. B., & Banerjee, S. (2014). Study Of Employee Retention. In International Journal of Business Management & Research (IJBMR), ISSN(P (Vol. 4).
Ekhsan, M., Badrianto, Y., & Suwandi, S. (2023). Digital Talent on Employee Retention: the Role of Employee Engagement as Mediation. Journal of Law and Sustainable Development, 11(10), e1121. https://doi.org/10.55908/sdgs.v11i10.1121
Fauzan Nabil, A., & Ekowati, D. (2025). Dampak implementasi sustainable human resource management practices terhadap intention to stay. Jurnal Ilmiah MEA (Manajemen, Ekonomi, Dan Akuntansi), 9(1), 282–301. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31955/mea.v9i1.4894
Ghani, B., Zada, M., Memon, K. R., Ullah, R., Khattak, A., Han, H., Ariza-Montes, A., & Araya-Castillo, L. (2022). Challenges and Strategies for Employee Retention in the Hospitality Industry: A Review. In Sustainability (Switzerland) (Vol. 14, Issue 5). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052885
Greenhaus, J. H., Collins, K. M., & Shaw, J. D. (2003). The relation between work–family balance and quality of life. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 63(3), 510–531. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-8791(02)00042-8
Hair, J. F. B. W. C. . B. B. J. . & A. R. E. (2009). Multivariate data analysis ((7th ed.)). Prentice-Hall.
Handoko, S., Tumbur, W., Tobing, M. L., & Setyawan, R. (2024). Dampak Work-Life Balance terhadap Retensi Karyawan: Studi Kuantitatif pada Generasi Milenial dan Gen Z. Jurnal Manajemen Sosial Ekonomi (DINAMIKA), 4(1), 279–288. http://journal.stiestekom.ac.id/index.php/dinamika
Hassan, A. G., Donianto, C. A., Kiolol, T. J., & Abd, T. M. (2022). Pengaruh Talent Management Dan Work-Life Balance Terhadap Retensi Karyawan Dengan Mediasi Dukungan Organisasi. Modus, 34(2), 158–183. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24002/modus.v34i2.5966
Hendriana, E., Christoper, A., Zain, H. O. A., & Pricilia, N. (2023). The Role of Employer Branding in Work-life Balance and Employee Retention Relationship among Generation Z Workers: Mediation or Moderation? Jurnal Manajemen Teori Dan Terapan| Journal of Theory and Applied Management, 16(1), 124–143. https://doi.org/10.20473/jmtt.v16i1.41703
Hytter, A. (2007). Retention strategies in France and Sweden. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285799771
Inegbedion, H. E. (2024). Work-life balance and employee commitment: mediating effect of job satisfaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1349555
Jati Prasetyo, W., & Putra Buana Sakti, D. (2023). Pengaruh Sistem Pola Karir Dan Sistem Manajemen Talenta, Employee Engagement Terhadap Retensi Karyawan. Jurnal Ilmiah Mandala Education (JIME), 9(1), 124–131. https://doi.org/10.58258/jime.v9i1.4268/http
Kavya, M. L., & Padmavathy, G. (2017). Employee Engagement: A Review of Engagement Models. Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR, 3(2).
Khoirunnisa, S., Jhoansyah, D., Nurmala, R., Bisnis, J. A., & Sukabumi, U. M. (2024). The Influence Of Supportive Work Environment, Work-Life Balance, And Organizational Culture On Employee Retention (Survey On Yayasan Pendidikan Islam At-Tartil Sukabumi). Costing:Journal of Economic, Business and Accounting, 7(4), 9112–9121. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31539/costing.v7i4.10847
Lin, Z., Gu, H., Gillani, K. Z., & Fahlevi, M. (2024). Impact of Green Work–Life Balance and Green Human Resource Management Practices on Corporate Sustainability Performance and Employee Retention: Mediation of Green Innovation and Organisational Culture. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156621
Made, G., Widiantara, A. B., Hanna, I., Sihombing, H., Desak, N., Santi Diwyarthi, M., Perhotelan, P. P., & Bali, P. (2025). Pengaruh Work-Life Balance dan Budaya Organisasi terhadap Turnover Intention Karyawan CK Hotel. Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Business (RIGGS), 4(3), 6729–6733. https://doi.org/10.31004/riggs.v4i3.2527
Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory (2nd ed). McGraw-Hill.
Ridho Lazuardi Wahyudi, & Odi Jarodi. (2025). Peran Employee Engagement dalam Meningkatkan Loyalitas Karyawan. Digital Bisnis: Jurnal Publikasi Ilmu Manajemen Dan E-Commerce, 4(1), 198–208. https://doi.org/10.30640/digital.v4i1.3889
Saks, A. M. (2006). Antecedents and consequences of employee engagement. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 21(7), 600–619. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940610690169
Setiawan, I., & Prasojo, S. (2021). Effect of Talent Management and Employee Engagement on Turnover Intention with Employee Retention Mediation. Journal of Business, Management, and Accounting, 3(2), 55–3. http://e-journal.stie-kusumanegara.ac.id
Sharma, D., Dhakal, H., & Sharma, A. (2025). Role of Internal Communication in Fostering Employee Engagement, Retention, and Organizational Commitment: A Case of Bhutanese Industries. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 25(4), 156–177. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajeba/2025/v25i41741
Silaban, H., & Margaretha, M. (2021). The Impact of Work-Life Balance on Job Satisfaction and Employee Retention: A Study of Millennial Employees in Bandung City, Indonesia. International Journal of Innovation and Economic Development, 7(3), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.18775/ijied.1849-7551-7020.2015.73.2002
Simran Raghuwanshi. (2023). Impact Of Work-Life Balance On Employee Retention And. National College of Ireland.
Sinaga, O., & Sijabat, R. (2022). Analisis Pengaruh Employee Motivation, Employee Empowerment, Work Life Balance Terhadap Employee Retention Dengan Job Satisfaction Sebagai Variabel Mediasi pada PT XYZ. Jurnal Administrasi Bisnis (JAB, 12(1), 87–95. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.35797/jab.v12.i1.87-96
Sopian, K., Hidayati, T., & Kusumawardani, A. (2022). Effect Of Work-Life Balance On Employee Engagement In Increasing Employee Performance. In American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (Issue 6). www.ajhssr.com
Syal, A., Rosnani, T., Daud, I., Christiana, M., Kalis, I., & Hendri, M. I. (2024). The influence of reward, work-life balance on employee retention: The mediating effect of Job satisfaction, Generation Z employees in West Kalimantan. Journal of Management Science (JMAS), 7(1), 270–279. www.exsys.iocspublisher.org/index.php/JMAS
Venkatesan, R. (2021). Measuring Work-Life Balance: Relationships With Work-Family Conflict And Family-Work Conflict. Journal of Strategic Human Resource Management, 10, 28–36. http://publishingindia.com/jshrm/
Zainal, N. S. B., Wider, W., Lajuma, S., Ahmad Khadri, M. W. A. B., Taib, N. M., & Joseph, A. (2022). Employee Retention in the Service Industry in Malaysia. Frontiers in Sociology, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2022.928951