The experiences of affirmative action of a private hospital's staff members

Abstract

Wolfaardt (1995) states that organizations in South Africa are experiencing immense pressure to implement affirmative action due to political, socio-economic and social factors. Many of these organizations however, are still persisting with the status quo. Affirmative action has been incorporated into the philosophies and values of organizations, yet little progress has been made to this effect. The Anncron Clinic is one of more than 80 private hospitals and clinics of Afrox Healthcare Ltd, which aims to make employees in the hospital more representative of the community within which it is functioning. Affirmative action and equal job opportunity programs are implemented at the Anncron Clinic, but the outcome of the implementation of these programs is perceived to have a negative effect on productivity and mutual personnel relationships. The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of affirmative action of a private hospital's staff members. The researcher made use of an exploratory research design which aided him through the various stages of the research. This research helped the researcher in determining and understanding the experiences of affirmative action of the Anncron Clinic's staff members. A sample was drawn by selecting a group of six individuals from the services department. The total number of respondents was 15, which make up 8,6% of the Anncron Clinic's 174 employees. Various themes have been identified which influence employees of the &on Clinic's experience of affirmative action. These themes include pressure, suspicion, motivation, frustration, the behaviour of doctors, and management. Recommendations are presented regarding the acceptance of affirmative action in the Anncron Clinic.