Did the 2017 wage increase improve job satisfaction of academic staff? A case study of the university of Nigeria, Nsukka

Abstract

Many employees are merely holding on to their current jobs for lack of alternatives. Such staff members are no longer deriving satisfaction from their current jobs. Lack of satisfaction impinges on workers productivity and attitude to work generally. Some employers strive to engender satisfaction among its employees through improvements in the working environment, staff training and retraining, provision of more working tools and financial incentives including salary reviews. The University system in Nigeria has witnessed mass exodus of staff and general discontent as manifested in strikes, work to rule and other labour antics. To contain this challenge the Federal Government of Nigeria offered wage increases to all publicly owned University workers. This study investigated the effects of the 2017 wage increases on job satisfaction of academic staff in University of Nigeria Nsukka. 75 respondents were purposively selected for the study. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaire as well as an interview schedule. Table summaries, frequency counts and percentages were used to analyse the data. Findings show that the 2017 wage increases had some positive relationship with job satisfaction among the academic staff. While wage increases was a factor in academic staff satisfaction with their jobs, it was also found that in spite of wage increases, the academic staff were desirous of decent and improved work environment, infrastructure, training and retraining, workload and independence of the system. To improve job satisfaction among academic staff, a holistic motivational approach need be adopted. Keywords: Academic staff, employee, Job-satisfaction, job description, wage increase, work status, work environment, Nigerian universities and motivation