Factors Influencing the morale of employees at the greater Tzaneen municipality

Abstract

The purpose of the study was mainly to explore factors influencing the morale of employees at the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM). Morale is the psychological state of a person as expressed in self-confidence, enthusiasm, and/or loyalty to a cause or organisation and it flows from people's conviction about the righteousness or worth of their actions and the hopes of considerable rewards (material or otherwise) in the future. The study was conducted at the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Tzaneen Area in Limpopo. The investigation consisted of a literature review about morale in order to gain an understanding to answer the research question which is: What are factors influencing morale of employees at the GTM?

The sample of the study comprised 103 employees at the GTM including, directors, managers, supervisors and first line level employees. The samples were drawn from the population of the GTM using stratified random sampling and the required number of respondents was further selected proportionally from each stratum using random sampling. Quantitative research was performed utilising a questionnaire as a data collection tool. A theoretical background on morale, Employee Assistance Programme and working conditions of employees was provided through a literature study.

The empirical findings were gathered based on the information received from the respondents. The findings of the study were based on 97% of the questionnaires received and/or returned by the respondents. The findings were presented and analysed using tables, graphs, pie charts and also interpreted in words. The majority of the respondents who participated in the study, revealed that the expectation of receiving a desired reward contributes to high morale, with expected monetary rewards having a larger influence than non-monetary rewards, but praise for a job well done and a feeling of accomplishment were also indicated to contribute positively to employee morale.

The results also revealed that there is a significant correlation between positive attitudes toward work and morale, and a positive correlation between performance management, commitment, leadership, employees’ salaries, compensation, training and development with employee morale. The demographic characteristics were shown not to have a discernable influence on workplace morale. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations and conclusions were made regarding strategies to be implemented by both management and employees to deal with morale in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality.