Human resource challenges arising from use of temporary employees - A case study of Kenya Power and Lighting Company Ltd

Abstract

The number of Companies using temporary workers is on the increase as global competition hots up and the urge to cut down on cost of doing business and remain competitive reaches fever pitch. The purpose of this study is to examine a range of concerns, Human Resources management challenges and issues relating to rising use of temporary. workers by employers. The main challenges this study will investigate will include but not limited to the following: - • The human resources challenges associated with ongoing and extensive use of temporary workers. • The rationale for companies to use temporary workers rather than permanent workers. • Factors determining types of temporary work arrangements • The rationale for temporary workers entering into temporary employment • The relationship between temporary worker recruitment agents (bureaus) and user companies • The relationship between labour laws and organizations labour use patterns of temporary workers HUMAN RESOURCES CHALLENGES Companies which use temporary workers differ widely in their approaches to human resources management in terms of recruiting, training, orientation, socialization and integration of temporary workers. This study highlights several factors associated with management of temporary workers that may lead to low productivity among them and even early/premature departure from the user Companies. These factors include: - • High turnover • Inadequate socialization • Perceptions of organizational injustice • Exclusion from decision-making activities that affect their work lives in user organizations. • Expectations for a permanent job in the user Company • Relatively low age and tenure compared to permanent employees. • Relatively low tolerance for perceived inequity compared to permanent employees. • Relatively low levels of commitment toward the Company compared to permanent employees. • Limited motivation compared to permanent employees. The above factors together result in limited motivation on the part of temporary workers, leading to reduced productivity and a predisposition to early departure from user company. DESIGN, METIIODOLOGY AND APPROACH This study discusses the implications of the above factors and move with an emphasis on the development of comprehensive human resource management systems that address the factors identified among temporary worker user organizations.