Quality of Life and Workplace Discrimination as Predictors of Workplace Deviant Behavior Among Employees of Nestlé Limited, Sagamu, Nigeria

Abstract

Deviant behavior in the workplace can have far-reaching consequences, creating a toxic work environment, eroding trust among employees, and diminishing overall productivity. Therefore, this paper investigated the quality of life and workplace discrimination as predictors of deviant behaviors among staff members of Nestlé Limited, Sagamu, Ogun State. A cross-sectional survey design was employed in this study, consisting of 264 staff members (mean age = 28.29; SD = 1.32) from Nestlé Limited, Sagamu, Ogun State. To select participants, the purposive sampling technique was utilized. The Workplace Deviance Scale (WDS-14-item), the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF-26 Items), and the Workplace Prejudice/Discrimination Inventory (WPDI-15-item) were used to collect data. Pearson product-moment correlation, T-test, and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. Quality of life significantly and negatively predicted workplace deviant behavior, β = −.64, t = −16.36, p < .001. Workplace discrimination significantly and positively predicted workplace deviant behavior, β = .37, t = 9.50, p < .001. The regression model was significant, R = .78, R² = .61, F(2, 261) = 204.80, p < .001. The findings suggest that Nestlé Limited staff members in Sagamu who experience a lower quality of life and workplace discrimination are more prone to deviant behaviors. This suggests that interventions aimed at reducing such behaviors should focus on improving quality of life and implementing anti-discrimination policies. Enhancing employees' well-being and creating an inclusive work environment could prove pivotal in mitigating deviant behaviors. In addition, this finding highlights the place of employee support programs and fairness policies in fostering a positive workplace culture that reduces behavioral issues.