Masters Degrees (Industrial Relations)
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Item Factors influencing the reliability of employment reference checking at Transnet National Port Authority.(2017) Ngcamu, Elton.; Ramasamy-Gurayah, Jayrusha.Employment Reference Checking is used at Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) to verify the accuracy of information provided by job applicants, such as work experience; knowledge; skill; behaviour, qualifications and criminal records. The reliability of information gathered during the employment reference verification is empirical to ensure TNPA employs competent and trustworthy candidates. The study intends to explore factors influencing the reliability of employment reference checking at TNPA in Durban. Recruiters at TNPA are of the opinion that the information obtained from employment reference checking might be unreliable. Therefore, this study will endeavour to explore and comprehend the extent of the hypothesis. Factors such as knowledge, skill, behaviour, the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI) and Chapter 2 Section 14 (d) - Bill of Right underpin this study. The author’s own compilation construct is used as a foundation for this study and supported by the theory of negligence hiring adopted from the work of (Stoll & Bushway, 2008) This study will be of benefit to TNPA and other organisations that use employment reference verification, especially TNPA is striving to attract qualified and competent candidates who will contribute positively in order to deal with adverse economic challenges and cope in a global competitive environment. Reliable employment reference checking method is imperative for TNPA to select qualified and competent job applicants. The study will test the perception of whether there are factors influencing the reliability of employment reference checking or not. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and used semi-structured interviews. The study proposed a sample of up to eight participants and the study site was TNPA in Durban. The study found that factors such as the POPI Act; Ch. 2 S14 (d) - Bill of Right; using of third party to conduct reference checks; absence of reference checks questionnaire for each positions; conducting reference checks telephonically; refusal of referees to respond to reference checks request and acceptance of convenient referees other than previous immediate supervisors or managers, influence the reliability of employment reference checking. The extent of influence caused by these factors has a propensity to cause TNPA to employ applicants who do not meet job requirements and could have severe repercussions to the performance and productivity of TNPA. The study recommended a development of a vetting strategy for agencies conducting employment reference check for TNPA; to ensure agencies do what they are mandated to do in order to avoid making employment decisions based on unreliable information to avoid negligent hiring and the training of all recruitment officials to ensure a full understanding of all legislations influencing the recruitment process.Item Perceptions of employees regarding the effectiveness of trade unions in representing employees at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.(2019) Ndlovu, Sandile Enocent.; Bernard, Rowena Bronwen.In the field of industrial relations there is a confusion of mixed views between researchers about the effectiveness of trade unions in representing employees. For example, Walters, (2011) argues that trade unions which are meant to effectively represent their members have been restricted in doing so due to their increased focus on politics instead of their original duties and responsibilities. As a result, there has been a rapid increase in the general perception that trade unions are not effective in representing employees. On the other hand, Bryson (2012) argues that trade unions are effective in representing employees, however the problem is that they are unable to pinpoint their success so that it can be translated into perceived benefits arising from the effectiveness of the trade union’s actions, and that this could account for the increase in the above general perception. There are many other challenges which are experienced by trade unions, which makes trade unions to be ineffective when representing employees. For example, Gumede (2012) argue that South African trade unions has lose their ability to function properly and effectively because of the unfavourable economic and labour market conditions that have created the daunting challenges for trade unions movement which are deeply rooted in the public sector and in the African National Congress (ANC). The other challenge is the onset of loss of trade unions members to such unions and in-fighting within trade unions (Gumede, 2012). This usually happens when there is more than one trade union which represent employees in a single workplace. The research problem for this study is the effectiveness of trade unions in representing employees. The primary aim of this study is to examine whether trade unions are effective in representing employees. The following tools were used to investigate the above-mentioned research problem. Descriptive research design was used in this study. Research objectives and research questions were developed to investigate the above-mentioned research problem. The questionnaires (both open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires were used as the main tool of collecting data. A probability sampling method was used to select UKZN employees for inclusion in the sample. This study used the mixed method research approach to critically analyse data. A thematic data analysis method was used to critically analyse data in this study. The findings of this study discovered that trade unions are effective in representing employees. Based on the research questions the findings of this study discovered that UKZN trade unions are effective in collective bargaining regarding salary increments and the protection of employees against unfair treatments such as discrimination. They always make it sure that UKZN employees get salary increments and protected against unfair treatments such as discrimination. In the absence of them employees might not be able to get salary increments and be protected against unfair treatments such as discrimination. UKZN employees need trade unions to represent and protect them. The findings discovered that UKZN trade unions are effective in handling employees’ grievances. UKZN Employees need trade unions to represent and protect them, without trade unions at UKZN things would be worse. The findings discovered that UKZN trade union representatives are effective in representing employees, they are beneficial to employees, they are also well trained and prepared to represent employees. Things would be worse in the absence of them in the workplace. The findings also discovered that there are challenges which are experienced by trade unions when representing employees. For example, the expertise or resource constraints, tight reins on trade union operation, political power which hinders trade unions progress, and bureaucracy, lack of funding and legal expertise etc. The findings discovered that these challenges affect trade unions as a result trade union maybe ineffective in doing their duties, but trade unions can address these challenges. The findings of this study have discovered that trade unions are effective in representing employees, and this is different from what was said in the research problem of this study. But there is also similarity from what was said in the research problem and findings of this study, as they both said that there are challenges which are experienced by trade unions when representing employees and they mentioned different challenges. They both argue that these challenges affect trade unions as a result trade union, may be ineffective in representing employees, but trade unions are able to address these challenges. The findings discovered that trade unions solve the challenges by studying the challenges, understand it and come up with solution to solve it, and they also give extra training to trade unions officials, so that they can have enough skills and knowledge to deal with any challenge that they experience.