Post by cjm on Mar 8, 2015 18:05:23 GMT
This runs like a dark thread throughout our society.
www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=1008936&sn=Marketingweb+detail
In 2001 I did research for my master's degree in Industrial Psychology among white Eskom employees. I determined what impact affirmative action had on the alienation of white employees at Eskom. In 2006 I followed up with PhD research on the impact of affirmative action on the non-designated group.
The outcome of the study came as a shock to us all. Alienation levels of white employees were totally unacceptable. A total of 93% of the respondents were of the opinion that promotion was not possible through own hard work. Moreover, 93% were of the opinion that affirmative action determined promotion. An even higher percentage, 96%, were of the opinion that promotion did not occur on merit. A total of 85% felt they weren't part of Eskom's future plans and 75% didn't feel part of the organisation anymore. Of the respondents, 64% were of the opinion that their relationship with black colleagues weakened as a result of affirmative action. More than half of the respondents indicated that they considered leaving Eskom because of limited opportunities as a result of affirmative action. A substantial percentage of respondents (86%) were of the opinion that affirmative action impacted negatively on productivity.
I discussed the results with Eskom's head of human resources, indicating that the alienation level of the organisation's white staff was too high. Transfer of knowledge wouldn't take place; productivity would be impacted; there were worrying signs of widespread depression among employees and a major outflow of skills and competence was to be expected as a result. It was also mentioned to the HR head that the exodus of whites could be explained on the basis of the study and that the operational impact of this exodus on Eskom could be devastating.
As an example of how serious the alienation of a group could be I referred to the documented case of students in India who set themselves on fire in die 1990's in protest to affirmative action. And what was her reaction? In the presence of Solidarity's Eskom shop stewards she replied that we should do so then.
In 2001 I did research for my master's degree in Industrial Psychology among white Eskom employees. I determined what impact affirmative action had on the alienation of white employees at Eskom. In 2006 I followed up with PhD research on the impact of affirmative action on the non-designated group.
The outcome of the study came as a shock to us all. Alienation levels of white employees were totally unacceptable. A total of 93% of the respondents were of the opinion that promotion was not possible through own hard work. Moreover, 93% were of the opinion that affirmative action determined promotion. An even higher percentage, 96%, were of the opinion that promotion did not occur on merit. A total of 85% felt they weren't part of Eskom's future plans and 75% didn't feel part of the organisation anymore. Of the respondents, 64% were of the opinion that their relationship with black colleagues weakened as a result of affirmative action. More than half of the respondents indicated that they considered leaving Eskom because of limited opportunities as a result of affirmative action. A substantial percentage of respondents (86%) were of the opinion that affirmative action impacted negatively on productivity.
I discussed the results with Eskom's head of human resources, indicating that the alienation level of the organisation's white staff was too high. Transfer of knowledge wouldn't take place; productivity would be impacted; there were worrying signs of widespread depression among employees and a major outflow of skills and competence was to be expected as a result. It was also mentioned to the HR head that the exodus of whites could be explained on the basis of the study and that the operational impact of this exodus on Eskom could be devastating.
As an example of how serious the alienation of a group could be I referred to the documented case of students in India who set themselves on fire in die 1990's in protest to affirmative action. And what was her reaction? In the presence of Solidarity's Eskom shop stewards she replied that we should do so then.