Employment status as a driver of absenteeism and customer satisfaction in a retail organisation

Abstract

Secondary data sourced from the Kronos Time Keeping system and Human Resources department indicate that absenteeism amongst Pick n Pay employees are constantly increasing and it seems that management has adopted a laissez-faire attitude in response to rectifying absenteeism. This study has endeavoured to establish if staff absenteeism is rife in supermarkets, which employment status has higher absenteeism figures and does it affect customer services. The objectives of this study were to answer and find solutions to the research question and the multiple questions arising from the research problem: do the supermarket employees understand the impact of absenteeism to the organisation? Is management aware of the causes of high employee absenteeism? Do management have solutions to reduce the absenteeism rate? Do management know which employee status has higher absenteeism figures? What procedures can be adopted to reduce absenteeism? The overall effect of any solution should focus on creating a more absent free and customer orientated organisation. The empirical investigation was carried out through quantitative as well as qualitative research methodology. Absenteeism statistics were collected from the five participating supermarkets in the Western Cape human resources departments and were made available to the researcher as secondary data. Four different data collection methodology were used to conduct the enquiries in the five participating supermarkets.