Abstract:
Significant relationships between general self-esteem of employees and a variety of positive and negative
organisational behaviour phenomena have been widely reported in the literature. The subsequent expectation
was that significant relationships would exist between primary labour relationship quality (PLQ) perceptions of
employees, and their self-esteem (SE) levels. The author also anticipated the existence of significant differences
in the PLQ perceptions of employees with lower and higher SE levels.
A comprehensive literature review was undertaken and 454 sample members participated in a questionnaire
survey. Inferential statistical analysis of data confirmed the existence of a statistically significant relationship
between PLQ perceptions and SE levels of employees in the sample group. Statistical analysis results also
confirmed that sample members with lower and higher SE levels held considerably different perceptions of
general PLQ, as well as different perceptions of the levels of trust, compliance, fairness and good faith in primary
employment relationships.
It was concluded that PLQ perceptions and SE levels of subordinate employees in the sample group were
significantly related.
