INFLUENCE OF TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY OF SAFARICOM LIMITED

Abstract

Despite a growing acceptance that temporary employment is likely to be a persisting and significant feature of contemporary work, there is no clear idea about how it affects the satisfaction, well being and performance of workers. Studies attempting to shade some light on the influence of temporary employment on employee performance are more generalistic and have failed to give detailed insights and analysis of the issues under the current study especially in Kenya. The purpose of the study therefore was to examine the influence of temporary employment on employee performance at Safaricom Limited. The study adopted a descriptive design. A sample of 112 staff of Safaricom Limited were selected using stratified random sampling. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires. Out of the 112 selected respondents , 97 filled and returned the questionnaires. The responses in the questionnaire were tabulated, coded and processed by use of computer Statistical Package for Social Scientists. (SPSS) versions 17.0. Descriptive statistics such as mean and percentages were applied in the data analysis. The study found out that there was a positive relationship between temporary employment and employee performance. Employees took up temporary employment as an alternative to lack of permanent employment, and with the hope of gaining permanent employment in the longer term. This motivated them to work harder to enhance their performance. The study also found out that the company was promoting the employability of the employees through coaching and work autonomy and enhancing their employment continuity through contract renewal. This gave the temporary employees a sense of job security which in turn enhanced their performance. Based on the findings the study recommends that in future, it would be better if studies would be carried out to independently interrogate the contribution of each of the studied variables to the performance of the employees. A study could also be carried out comparing the performance of permanent and temporary employees to establish whether they are influenced by the same factors. The study also recommends that the management of Safaricom Ltd should enact a policy which gives preference to temporary employees already on board when recruiting permanent employees. This will go a long way in encouraging employees to be more committed to their jobs.