Flexible workforce and its impact on teachers’ morale

• In Event: Profesores y enseñanzas en contextos socioeducativos urbanos, rurales e indígenas

Abstract

Due to constrained spending environment higher education institutions face tough financial conditions; higher education managers rely on its ability to attract, retain and motivate talented staff and yet they are under increasing pressure from government to reduce costs by adopting more flexible staffing practices and tensions can arise as institutions seek to sustain motivation and morale across a diversifying workforce and at the same time to deliver country’s matching aims of a vibrant economy and a just society. This paper examines the impact of a flexible work force on the moral of teachers in higher education.
Method: the study relies on semi-structure interviews with ‘expert witnesses’ including senior and middle management staff, directors of human resources, representatives of unions and lecturers/teachers from seven Colombian universities. Data also comes from universities’ reports.
Outcomes: the data is analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods including content analysis, to ascertain any patters and changes in workforce and also to explore the implications of these for the psychological contract between institutions and their staff, plus different interpretations of the employment package; the establishment of processes that are seen as equitable and transparent, and the adoption of a range of communication channels, both at the level of the individual and collectively.
Significance: the findings from this research are discussed to understand how indicators and the perception of staff about success and struggle can be used to build a more socially inclusive working environment.

Author

• Maria C Mina, University of the West of Scotland