The effect of absenteeism on productivity at Durban container terminals

Abstract

The Durban container terminal (DCT) is the biggest and busiest container terminal in the African continent. The terminal has a throughput capacity of 2.9 million per annum but is now under threat due to absenteeism. In recent years, the DCT struggled with a high rate of absenteeism which is thought to be the reason for decreasing productivity. The study, therefore, sought to investigate the effect of absenteeism on productivity at DCT with a view to finding ways of curbing the scale of absenteeism. A quantitative research approach was adopted with a view to finding ways of curbing the scale of absenteeism. Stratified random sampling was used to select 321 participants from the human resource inventory at DCT. The data were analysed using both descriptive statistics. The study questionnaire was validated by pretesting the questionnaire to some selected employees at the DCT. Ethical approval was requested and obtained from the Research and Ethics Office at the Durban University of Technology. The study revealed that employees perceived absenteeism as the reason for lower productivity, lower quality of product and service. Absenteeism is perceived as the source of increase in losses and as well as increase in administrative costs. The study found that absenteeism at DCT is caused illness, toxic organisational culture, stress levels, family problems, personal need and poor relations amongst core workers and between mangers. In addition, the study also found that improving conditions of service and organisational culture can potentially lower absenteeism at DCT. On the other hand, the study concluded that offering employee assistance, disciplinary action and a caring leadership were not helpful in reducing absenteeism at DCT. Drawing from the findings made, the study recommended the need to establish the employee health centres such as clinics manned by full time personnel such as nurses and doctors to provide health care and support to all employees of the organisation. There was also need for leaders/mangers to undergo training on effective leadership that fosters on a learning organisation in order to improve organisational culture leading to a culture that motivates the workforce. It is through this culture that issues of personal needs, family matters and relationships will be take care of. The study also recommended an overhaul of the conditions of service that includes salary upgrade, allowances such as transport and housing, medical care etc. There was need also to investigate the current disciplinary measures used by DCT that include disciplinary action and the employee assistance programs as they have proved to be helpful in other organisations globally except for DCT becoming cause for concern.