ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effect of excessive work hours on employee performance in the hotel industry in Umuahia Metropolis. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the effect of workload on employee performance, assess the impact of poor work quality on employee performance, analyze the effect of work-related stress on the health status of hotel employees, and examine the overall impact of work-related stress on employee performance. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. A sample of 273 respondents from various outdoor catering establishments were used vas the respondents for the study. The use of structured questionnaire which was organized in sections was used in the collection of data.  The simple descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentage was used to analyze the data gotten and multiple regression was used to test the hypotheses. The results revealed that excessive work hours had a significant negative impact on employee performance, with a mean score of 3.87, suggesting that longer work hours reduce overall productivity and job satisfaction. The study also found that workload, characterized by high task demands and pressure to meet deadlines, significantly affected employee performance, with a mean score of 3.61. Poor work quality, which was largely a result of workload stress and lack of proper rest, had an equally negative effect, with a mean score of 3.57. Furthermore, work-related stress was shown to adversely affect employees' health, particularly in terms of stress, headaches, and sleep disturbances, with a mean score of 3.58, indicating that prolonged work-related stress takes a toll on both physical and mental well-being.In conclusion, the study underscores the critical need for hotel management in Umuahia Metropolis to implement effective strategies such as flexible work schedules, work-life balance initiatives, and mental health support programs to enhance employee well-being and improve overall performance in the hospitality industry.