scholarly journals The perceptions of unionised employees on grievance and disciplinary matters at a higher education institution in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
Shadrack Themba Mzangwa ◽  
Stephens Mpedi Madue
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
The Other ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

This article examines the perceptions of unionised members on the handling of grievance and disciplinary matters against management of a higher education institution. Using a sample of thirty-four unionised members in one of the higher education institutions in South Africa, the study found that unionised members perceived the management of higher education institution as abusing its power against unionised employees. The management treats unionised employees negatively based on race and further denies unionised members an opportunity to engage freely on issues of labour. The other finding is that unionised members feel strongly to belong to the unions in spite of the union’s leadership’s lack of knowledge and poor representation of its members against the management of a higher education institution. The findings suggest that unionised members felt undermined and disregarded by management whilst they are not happy on how their own leadership handles the grievance and disciplinary matters.

scholarly journals An exploration of stereotype perceptions amongst support staff within a South African higher education institution

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Given R.B. Moloto ◽  
Lizelle Brink ◽  
J. Alewyn Nel
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Diverse Workforce ◽  
The Impact

Orientation: After the 1994 democratic elections, South African organisations had to replace discriminatory policies with new policies to integrate all people and to embrace diversity. As a consequence stereotypes may be more prevalent in diverse working environments.Research purpose: The objective of this study was to explore the experience of stereotypes amongst the support staff within a higher education institution.Motivation for this study: Changes within South African working environments, and specifically higher education institutions, resulted in more diverse management teams and a more culturally diverse workforce. With this in mind, the experience of stereotypes may become more prevalent within South African working environments. Many researchers have focused on stereotypes; however, studies on stereotypes within South Africa are limited, especially within higher education institutions. Research approach, design and method: The research approach was qualitative and a case study design was employed. A combination of both quota and convenience sampling was used. The sample consisted of (N = 30) support staff within a higher education institution in South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data.Main findings: The results indicated that the participants do experience stereotypes within their workplace and also hold stereotypes of other people within their workplace. The most prevalent stereotypes mentioned by participants were age, gender, racial and occupational stereotypes. There is also an indication that stereotypes have cognitive, emotional and behavioural effects on the stereotyped.Practical/managerial implications: Organisations should do away with stereotyping by embracing and managing diversity and dealing with stereotypes, specifically within higher education institutions. When managers are aware of stereotypes and the effects thereof in the organisation, they can make every effort to eradicate the stereotypes and address the impact thereof.Contribution: In an environment where there is a diverse workforce, stereotyping is more likely to exist. This study will provide useful information about stereotypes within a higher education institution seeing that there are a limited number of studies on this topic within South Africa and within this specific occupation. The results of the study will enlighten the organisation to become more aware of stereotypes and the debilitating impact that they have on the individual and the organisation, thereby providing the organisation with the opportunity to address stereotypes and the impact thereof on employees and the organisation.

scholarly journals Job insecurity, sense of coherence and the general health of employees at a higher education institution in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 660-670
Author(s):  
Sam T Setati ◽  
Marius Stander ◽  
Wilfred Isioma Ukpere
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
General Health ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Cross Sectional

This study investigated the relationship between job insecurity, sense of coherence and general health of employees in a higher education institution in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random sample (n = 229) was taken from academic and non-academic staff members of the institution. The Job Insecurity Inventory, General Health Questionnaire and Orientation to Life Questionnaire were administered. The results showed that a negative relationship exists between job insecurity and general health, while a positive relationship exists between sense of coherence and general health. High job insecurity and a weak sense of coherence predicted ill health. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that higher education institutions should attend to job insecurity by communicating effectively with employees, in order to clarify expectations, and ensure support from supervisors. Developing the employees’ sense of coherence can positively impact on their wellness. Owing to the cross-sectional design of the study, no conclusions regarding causality was drawn.

scholarly journals Promotion of the quality of life of workers in a higher education institution: a scope review

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 254-264
Author(s):  
Isaura Sousa ◽  
Márcia Gouveia ◽  
Tatyanne Rodrigues ◽  
Fernando Lopes Silva Júnior ◽  
Ana Maria Ribeiro dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Public Higher Education ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Worker Health

The present study aimed to map the evidence to provide an overview of actions implemented/executed and scales used in public higher education institutions to promote worker health. A scoping review based on the PCC (Population, Concept, and Context) mnemonic was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Virtual Health Library (VHL). Population included workers from a higher education institution, the concept referred to studies focusing on the assessment of quality of life and health promotion actions and the context to higher education institutions. Electronic searches were held on December 2019. A qualitative synthesis of the data extracted from included studies (i.e. author, year, study design, sample, country, aims, action implemented/performed, thematic focus, evaluation) was performed. Electronic searches retrieved 3,330 articles that were screened by tittles and abstracts. Of these, 34 studies were fully appraised, of which four reported that actions implemented/executed related to sedentariness, posture and stress. The studies show 49 scales were identified to measuring at least one quality of life item. Through this scoping review the available evidence to provide an overview of actions implemented/executed and scales used in public higher education institutions to promote worker health. Future studies should consider more rigorous designs and objective measures to measure the quality of life of these professionals, and develop target interventions based on factors associated with the work. It is also necessary to evaluate whether the strategies work.

Determinants of Controlling in a Non-Public Higher Education Institution in Poland

2014 ◽  
pp. 342-350
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Janczyk-Strzała
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Other ◽  
Financial Security ◽  
Public Higher Education ◽  
Strategic Decisions

The basis of any business, including non-public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), is financial security, which is ensured by achieving sufficiently high profits and financial liquidity. Especially in these times, a rapidly changing market, the competition, and the upcoming birth rate forces HEIs to optimize operational and strategic decisions. On one hand, it creates new opportunities for non-public HEIs, but on the other, it is a source of danger for the future of their operations. Therefore, they must not only overcome the difficulties encountered in everyday life but also try to respond to the challenges posed by their environment, demonstrating the special care to ensure the efficiency of their operations. They must not only try to increase the quality of offered services or manage their funds rationally but with equal attention should “invest” in modern management methods and concepts. Through the use of controlling, contemporary non-public HEIs are able to choose an optimum variant of decision facilitating the achievement of their goals. In view of the above, this chapter discusses the special considerations relating to controlling HEIs from the point of view of increasing their effectiveness.

Intranet as a Quality Manual in Higher Education

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juha Kettunen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Process Management ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Management Personnel ◽  
Flow Charts ◽  
Process Architecture ◽  
And Control

This study describes how the Intranet of a higher education institution can be used as a quality manual. The study is based on process management. The process architecture can be used as a structure for the Intranet. This Intranet also includes detailed process descriptions and makes them available for management, personnel, and students. The flow charts and process cards provide managers with more awareness and control over their responsibilities and ensure that the objectives and high quality can be achieved. The results of this study are useful for those who want to develop quality manuals for higher education institutions.

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