Employee perception of quality of work life practices at the Kenya citizens and foreign nationals management service (KCFNMS), Nairobi region

Abstract

The concept of Quality of Worl life involves increasing the sense of satisfaction people obtain from their work by so far as possible, reducing monotony, increasing variety, autonomy and responsibility, and avoiding placing people under too much stress, Armstrong (2006). The quality of life of employees is an important concern for many companies which are interested in enhancing their employees' level of job satisfaction and commitment.The purpose of this study was to find out Quality of Work Life practices at the Kenya Citizens and Foreign Nationals Management Service (KCFNMS). The research sought to establish employees' perception regarding the existing QWL practices in the organization. A descriptive survey design was modeled to enable assessment of the QWL Practices at KCFNMS. The research employed stratified sampling approach to systemically select respondents to be interviewed in the study. Data was collected from a sample of seventy two employees randomly selected from the total population of seven hundred and twelve workers of the organization in Nairobi region. The study used descriptive data statistics such as measures of central tendency, mean, mode, frequencies and percentages on data collected. The research established that perceptions of employees on QWL practices at the KCFNMS vary. From the employee perception ratings, Social integration in the work organization and Work and total life space, were highly perceived. Safe and healthy working conditions; opportunity to use and develop human capacities; opportunity for continued growth and security and the Social relevance of work life were rated very well. Constitutionalism in the work organization and adequate and fair compensation were not rated as well though. The researcher concluded that KCFNMS employees are fairly happy with most QWL practices even though they are not quite happy with the adequacy and fairness of their compensation as well as constitutionalism in the work place. The researcher recommended that KCFNMS does an audit of its QWL practices so as to get ways of improving on the two practices that were not highly perceived.