Productivity and morale of administrative employees in the South African Public service

Abstract

This article reports on a study conducted among non-managerial administrative employees in the South African public service to determine what they need to perform to their optimum level and what will make them feel that they are well looked after. The empirical survey focused on perceptions of administrative employees, to determine and identify barriers to efficiency as well as to evaluate the role physical workplace factors play in service delivery and in terms of the morale of the employees. These employees identified many intrinsic as well as extrinsic job factors that influence their productivity and morale negatively. Leaders in government, and managers in the public service, should take every possible measure to identify and decrease the current skills shortage, not only within the ranks of employees, but also among the different management levels. Training and education needs should be addressed to ensure optimum levels of performance and motivated employees. This matter influences the entire country and even the president of South Africa has referred to this issue. The improvement of these issues will not only produce happier and more productive employees, but would probably also lead to cost reduction and savings in the entire public sector of this country.