Abstract
Orientation: There is overwhelming research on job satisfaction and work engagement as it relates to the private sector when compared with the public sector. Noting differences between the two sectors, the undeniable importance of the latter and that its employees are central to service delivery the dynamics of the concepts must be understood comprehensively. This study aims to add to this body of knowledge.Research purpose: To determine the level of job satisfaction and work engagement at National Treasury, and whether job satisfaction is a significant predictor of work engagement.Motivation for the study: South African Government’s financial performance, which is largely the responsibility of National Treasury is unsatisfactory. As this responsibility is carried out by its employees, noting that job satisfaction and work engagement are some of the more recognised antecedents for employee performance, these need to be understood as the first step towards intervention.Research approach/ design and method: A quantitative approach was followed wherein two questionnaires were administered via online census survey to all employees (n = 1189). Data collected were analysed using the mean and the frequency polygon. Multiple linear regression was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).Main findings: Somewhat low levels of job satisfaction and work engagement were observed. Multiple linear regression has confirmed that job satisfaction is a predictor of work engagement (R2 = 49.1%). It was also discovered that non-monetary aspects of the former such as communication and access to promotional opportunities are significant predictors while pay is not.Practical / managerial implications: Job satisfaction, which relates to a focused state of work engagement, can also be harnessed through non-monetary aspects of the job.Contribution/ value added: The study provided insight into the level of job satisfaction and engagement at National Treasury and reinforced the sentiment that satisfied employees tend to be vigorous, dedicated and absorbed.
Highlights
OrientationThis study was motivated by what seems to be weaknesses of National Treasury to appropriately manage two functions: the annual budget preparation function and the budget implementation monitoring function as illustrated through negative audit outcomes expressed by the Auditor General of South Africa
Budget preparation function: This is a lengthy function with various sub-processes, such as the assessment of proposed budget reallocations and budget bids for new priorities, wherein budget and resource allocation decisions for all national government departments are made by National Treasury before the annual national budget is tabled in Parliament
The total mean value of 5.151 for the responses relating to job satisfaction (Table 2) and that of 5.789 for the responses relating to work engagement (Table 3) are both above the Cronbach’s alpha Mean
Summary
OrientationThis study was motivated by what seems to be weaknesses of National Treasury to appropriately manage two functions: the annual budget preparation function and the budget implementation monitoring function as illustrated through negative audit outcomes expressed by the Auditor General of South Africa. The audit outcomes of 2016–2017 indicated that only 30% of the total population audited at the national government level received clean audits (Auditor General of South Africa, 2017) These aforementioned functions, mandated through the Public Finance Management Act (Republic of South Africa, 1999), are aimed at ensuring government departments achieve good audit outcomes as support would be given to ensure that realistic budgets are crafted and adequately implemented in line with applicable financial legislation and that allocated resources enable the given departments to provide good service delivery (Department of National Treasury, 2015). Employees would need to apply their budget management knowledge and expertise and extensively interact with national government departments to support them in crafting realistic and reliable budgets
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