Precarious employment practices in South African universities
SA Journal of Human Resource Management
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Precarious employment practices in South African universities | |
| Creator | Solomon, Shihaam Du Plessis, Marieta | |
| Description | Orientation: The study explored the employment experiences of contract academic staff working in universities.Research purpose: This study aimed to explore higher education employment practices experienced by contract academic staff. Recommendations for fair and inclusive human resource practices to address negative employee experiences was offered.Motivation for the study: Research on employment practices and non-standard employment arrangements in the South African context are scant and outdated. Consequently, it is important to shed light on the experience of contract academic staff in universities given the widespread practice of employing contract academic staff in the sector.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative research approach was employed. A total of 26 temporary employed contract academic staff members from 15 different departments across three institutions of higher education in South Africa participated in semi-structured interviews.Main findings: The findings of this study highlight how contract academic staff experience being employed in universities. The themes identified were, a lack of job orientation and onboarding, last-minute contract offers, vague contract terms, lack of employment benefits, lack of rights and legal standing, limited career development and funding opportunities, unfair work demands, lack of performance feedback, and lack of human resources and organisational support.Practical/managerial implications: Understanding the influence of university employment practices on contract academic staff will aid Human Resources Departments in re-evaluating policy and practice to combat the negative effects thereof. Particularly, how the employment contract process is managed, the lack of support available to staff, and the general disregard for the value that this category of staff adds to the academic offering.Contribution/value-add: This study provides valuable insight for improving policies and practices that enhance the employment experience of contract academic staff in universities. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2024-04-30 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajhrm.v22i0.2490 | |
| Source | SA Journal of Human Resource Management; Vol 22 (2024); 10 pages 2071-078X 1683-7584 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2490/3776
https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2490/3777
https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2490/3778
https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2490/3779
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