Terms of service and job retention among academic staff in Makerere University

Abstract

Job retention is one of the challenges facing many employees and their employer organizations. This study examined the effect of terms of service on job retention for academic staff in Makerere University. Type of employment contract, remuneration and job security characterized terms of service while intentions of staying as a lecturer characterised job retention. Specifically, the study established the effect of; (i) type of employment contract, (ii) remuneration (iii) job security, respectively on job retention for academic staff. This was due to persistent low job retention reported among academic staff in the University. By quantitative cross sectional survey design, data were collected from 104 randomly selected academic staff using self administered questionnaires as the main data collection instruments complemented by interview guides. Data were analysed by Statistical Package for Social Scientists using frequency counts, summary statistics, independent samples t-test, Correlation Analysis and Fisher’s ANOVA as appropriate.

The study revealed that: 1) intentions for lecturers to retain jobs are positively co- related with satisfaction with employment contract; 2) lecturers’ intentions to retain jobs are positively co- related with remuneration; 3) intentions for lecturers to retain jobs are positively co- related with job security. It was concluded that: 1) Satisfaction with employment contract affects lecturers’ intentions to retain jobs; 2) Lecturers’ intentions to retain jobs depend on the remuneration obtained; 3) Lecturers’ intentions to retain jobs depend on the satisfaction with job security. The recommendations made were: 1) The University should devise means of making employment contracts more satisfying; 2) the remuneration package should be made more attractive and lastly, 3) Makerere should make lecturers’ jobs are very secure.