Exploratory study on challenges associated with short-term employment in Ghana

Abstract

Andrew Kweku CONDUAH, Mary Naana ESSIAW, Dorothy SIAW-MARFO

Globally, the use of temporary workers is assuming an alarming proportion and is cutting across industries from manufacturing to services, construction workers, registered nurses, bankers and information technology expects. Industries using temporary workers has surge considerably due to increased global competition and the imperative management strategy to reduce business costs in order to stay competitive on a turbulent business environment. The study examined the effects of short-term employment on an organization. The researchers employed the convergent parallel mixed method approach in an attempt to describe, explain and interpret the challenges of short-term employment contract in Ghana. This involved the use of both qualitative and quantitative tools with a study population drawn from three organizations in Accra and having a sample size of 14 respondents for the quantitative and 7 participants for the qualitative study. Though exploratory in nature, certain patterns that relate to challenges of short-term employment emerged from the analysis that centered on emotional well-being, job opportunities, financial security, job security and a sense of belongingness. These factors include insufficient socialisation, incidence of injustice arising out of summarily dismissals, marginalisation from decision-making, prospects for permanent work, lower wages and tenure, lower tolerance for inequity, low levels of commitment and curbed motivation. It is plausible that chaotic Human Resource Practices are underway with this phenomenon of Short-Term Employees in Corporate Ghana.

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