The impact of employment equity legislation on employee engagement within generation Y

[摘要] This research focuses on three elements i.e. employment equity, employee engagementand generation theory and specifically where these elements intersect. The literature foundthat there were different perceptions of employment equity legislation. In addition, theliterature found generational differences with respect to some elements of employeeengagement. Limited empirical evidence was found on whether employment equitylegislation had an impact on employee engagement. Consequently, three researchquestions were drawn from the literature reviewed.The research is a quantitative study based on a sample drawn from South Africanindividuals who have completed grade 12 and are currently employed or have anemployment history. The sample included employees of a financial services companybased in Gauteng and GIBS MBA students.The results showed that there were differing perceptions of employment equity legislationand that the majority of respondents perceived the legislation to be affirmative action.There were no differences in the perception of employment equity legislation betweengenerations. Additional findings were that the perception of employment equity legislationdid not enhance employee engagement neither did the perception of the organisationsimplementation of employment equity legislation enhance employee engagement. Limitedgenerational differences were found in terms of these findings.

[发布机构] University of Pretoria