Workplace environment and the job satisfaction of non-academic staff in Kyambogo University

Abstract

This study explored the influence of workplace environment on the job satisfaction of the non-academic staff of Kyambogo University (KYU). It was instigated by apparently persistent low levels of job satisfaction among the non-academic staff as reflected by the frequent strikes the staffs engaged in for various reasons in recent times. The study was guided by three research objectives which aimed at: establishing the influence of physical workplace environment on the job satisfaction of the non-academic staff of KYU; examining the influence of social workplace environment on the job satisfaction of non-academic staff of KYU and; finding out the influence of psychological workplace environment on the job satisfaction of non-academic staff of KYU. The research adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design in which primary data were collected from a sample of 227 non-academic staff and analysed with the use of appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. The study results showed, among others, that physical workplace environment, social workplace environment and psychological workplace environment have significant influence on the job satisfaction of non-academic staff of KYU. In fact, holding other factors constant, the results of the multiple regressions showed that 60.6 per cent of the job satisfaction of the non-academic staff in KYU was accounted for by workplace environment. Accordingly, it was recommended that the leadership of KYU must pay more attention to the physical working conditions of its staff, focus on improving social working conditions and have a moral contract with their employees to ensure that the individual and his/her psychological well-being are valued as much as their contributions.