AN INVESTIGATION OF FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIGH LABOUR TURNOVER WITHIN NIGHTCLUBS IN NAIROBI
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: This study sought to understand the factors responsible for high labour turnover within nightclubs in Nairobi, by seeking answers to the following questions: Do wages and salaries in this sector influence the rate of labour turnover?, does employee perception of labour laws impact on labour turnover?, and finally, does discrimination (ethnicity and sex) impact on labour turnover within nightclubs in Nairobi?
Statement of the Problem: The trend in nightclubs has been that of workers seeming to be outwardly happy and motivated at their places of work, but before long they move anyway. Thus, the superficial impression one is likely to form about workers in this sector is that of a reasonably motivated and passionate workforce, but the irony is that a majority of them rarely hold on to their jobs for long.
Research Methodology: This was an exploratory study aimed at explaining the pattern of labour turnover in nightclubs in Nairobi. It aimed at illuminating and explaining the factors responsible for high labour turnover, their root causes, and why they possibly keep on recurring. The study design was cross-sectional, in that data from a cross-section of respondents randomly chosen to represent the larger population was gathered at the shortest time possible.
Result: Findings from the study revealed that employees frequently change or leave nightclub employment mainly because of pay related issues. The other contributing factors include workers stage in life and thus age levels, human resource management structures, employee level of education and employer's approach to human capital among others.
Conclusion: The study concluded that generally human capital does not seem to be highly valued in this sector, an indication that employee needs may not be sufficiently achieved, and hence the high labour turnover within the sector.
Recommendation: The study recommended that there was need to review most of the labour laws if they were to be applied equitably between the worker and the employer, the trade unions need to be more aggressive and committed to their covenant with the workers. Finally, there was need for the employers to change their attitudes towards their workers and probably seek to invest more wisely in human capital in order to get the expected return for their investment, while at the same time checking the rate of labour turnover in this sector.
Keywords: Labour, Turnover, Nightclubs, Hotel, Restaurant, Nairobi, Kenya
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