The Effect of Work Discipline on Employee Performance: Evidence from the Subdistrict Office of Sidikalang, Dairi Regency

Abstract

This study examines the influence of work discipline on employee performance at the Sub district Office of Sidikalang, Dairi Regency. A total of 45 employees participated in this quantitative research. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, validity and reliability tests, simple linear regression, and hypothesis testing with SPSS version 25. The descriptive results indicate that work discipline (M = 4.61; SD = 0.38) and employee performance (M = 4.57; SD = 0.46) are both perceived at high levels, reflecting a structured and performance-oriented work environment. Validity and reliability testing confirmed that all research instruments were valid and reliable, with Cronbach’s Alpha values exceeding the acceptable threshold. Regression analysis demonstrates that work discipline has a significant positive effect on employee performance, with a regression coefficient (B = 1.204), standardized Beta (0.768), and t-value (9.387), indicating strong predictive power. This implies that for every one-unit increase in work discipline, employee performance is expected to increase by approximately 1.20 units. The coefficient of determination (R² = 0.590; Adjusted R² = 0.641) shows that 59.0% of the variance in employee performance is explained by work discipline, while the remaining 41.0% is influenced by other factors such as leadership, motivation, and organizational culture. The findings highlight the critical role of work discipline in enhancing employee performance within public sector institutions. Strengthening punctuality, adherence to regulations, and responsibility in task completion can significantly improve efficiency and service quality. These results provide practical implications for policymakers and administrators in designing disciplinary policies and performance management systems to support organizational effectiveness in governmental institutions.