Perceptions of organizational justice and life satisfaction among Nigerian prison staff

Abstract

ABSTRACT Employee perceptions of fairness are a critical component of organizational justice, and empirical studies have shown that both distributive and procedural justice, the major dimensions of organizational justice, play a role in work performance and life satisfaction. In this study, we surveyed perceptions of organizational justice from 120 Nigerian prison staff and examined how it impacted their life satisfaction. The findings indicated both procedural and distributive justice were associated with higher levels of life satisfaction. Line staff had lower life satisfaction, but it was the only demographic variable to have a significant effect. As the costs of acting in a procedurally fair manner are minimal, interventions that increase perceptions of procedural justice are likely to improve staff’s life satisfaction, a result that has clearly positive consequences for both employers and employees. Improving distributive outcomes, such as pay and benefits, are costlier but should also result in improved life satisfaction.