Work engagement, job satisfaction and performance management at Statistics South Africa (Stats SA)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate work engagement, job satisfaction and performance management at Stats SA. The study was geared towards adding to the knowledge base in the field of Human Resource Management and to advise the management of the chosen organisation, (Stats SA), of the identified problems regarding work engagement, job satisfaction and performance management. Theories pertaining to work engagement, job satisfaction and performance management were utilised to provide meaning to the phenomena. A quantitative survey, using primary data, was conducted on a convenience sample (N = 374) of full-time employees at Stats SA. This study employed a cross sectional survey utilising a questionnaire administered electronically to obtain information regarding the perceptions of Stats SA employees on Work Engagement, Job satisfaction and Performance Management System. The data was then analyzed using the Statistical Packaging for Social Science (SPSS v26) system. Findings were presented in tables and graphs. In this study, findings point to respondents experiencing work engagement and high levels of job satisfaction. It was also found that age has a bearing on both work engagement and job satisfaction. However, there is no statistically significant relationship between gender and both work engagement and job satisfaction; educational level and both work engagement and job satisfaction; as well as job category and both work engagement and job satisfaction. Although there is a general belief that the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) is fair, simple and understandable, performance reviews are treated as once-off by management as opposed to a continuous process.