Impact of Retrenchment on Service Delivery: a Case Study of University of Nairobi

Abstract

Retrenchment in the Public Sector is a government-initiated policy to cut down the number of employees and subsequently reduce costs. The objectives of this study were to establish the quality of service delivery after rightsizing. Perceptions of the retained employees of the University of Nairobi towards retrenchment and assessment of the impact of retrenchment on their performance are sort through a retrospective survey.

The study comprised of 90 non-teaching staff of the University of Nairobi representing central administration and 6 colleges of the institution. The sample was chosen using stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and the findings presented using frequency tables, pie charts and bar charts.

The results of this study indicate retrenchment at the University of Nairobi has led to improved quality of service delivery. However, it was observed that the non-teaching staff were frustrated as workload had increased while salary had remained the same. In addition, staff complained of poor working environment and lack of staff welfare. It was therefore concluded that better service delivery could be achieved and sustained by improving the working conditions of the employees. This could be done by boosting morale of workers through better remuneration commensurate with responsibilities, training, improved working environment and establishment of a staff welfare.