<![CDATA[Employee performance is a crucial element in supporting organizational effectiveness; therefore, the various factors potentially influencing it require in-depth examination. This study aims to analyze the impact of safety motivation, work-life balance, and self-reward on employee performance, with work stress serving as a mediating variable, among employees at PT PLN (Persero), Jatibarang Brebes Unit. A quantitative approach was employed, utilizing a survey method with 176 employees as respondents. Data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) method. The findings reveal that safety motivation, work-life balance, and self-reward have a positive and significant influence on work stress. Positive and significant effects were also observed regarding the impact of safety motivation, work-life balance, self-reward, and work stress on employee performance. Mediation analysis indicates that work stress plays a significant role in mediating the relationships between safety motivation, work-life balance, and self-reward and employee performance. Among the independent variables, self-reward makes the greatest contribution to enhancing employee performance. These findings suggest that strengthening safety motivation, maintaining work-life balance, and fostering self-reward practices can drive improvements in employee performance—both directly and through the effective management of work stress. Consequently, the organization should optimize safety programs, work-life balance policies, and employee reward systems as sustainable strategies to boost performance through appropriate work stress management.]]>
