Abstract

Public sector institutions in the Philippines are vital to community service, particularly in youth empowerment. The Youth Development Office is mandated to lead youth leadership, scholarship, and community programs. However, local government offices frequently struggle with workplace conditions, limited organizational support, and employee motivation. This study examined the relationship between the work environment and employee commitment at the YDO, addressing the gap in empirical research regarding workplace conditions within local government youth-serving institutions. A descriptive-correlational quantitative research design was used to determine the relationship between work environment and employee commitment. The researchers examine the variable without manipulation. Seventy-three employees were selected from a population of 90 using Slovin’s formula. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Statistical tools included weighted mean, Mann-Whitney U-Test, Kruskal–Wallis H-Test, and Pearson r to analyze and interpret the results. Results showed strong employee agreement regarding the social work environment (WM=3.74), organizational support (WM=3.62), and physical work environment (WM=3.55), with teamwork and supervisor approachability ranked highest. Employees also reported high commitment, particularly in affective (WM=3.68) and normative (WM=3.51) dimensions, reflecting deep pride and loyalty. While continuance commitment was lower (WM=3.28), major challenges identified were heavy workload (f=40) and deadline pressure (f=28). Correlation analysis confirmed a significant positive relationship (r = 0.642, p<0.05), indicating that a supportive workplace directly enhances the dedication and retention of YDO personnel. In conclusion, maintaining a supportive work environment is vital for sustaining employee dedication. Strategic improvements in workload management and office layout will modernize operations, prevent burnout, and strengthen long-term retention in the youth development office.