HUMAN RESOURCES OUTSOURCE IN NIGERIA: EXPLOITING ORGANISATION ‘VITAL TOOLS’

The study examined the reasons behind the taking up of outsourced/casual jobs by employees and the effects of outsourced/casual jobs on employees. This was with a view to understanding the implications of outsourced/casual employments on human resources development. The population for the study comprised seventy-five outsourced staff drawn from security unit of three randomly selected hospitals. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the respondents who were available and willing to participate in the study. The study utilised primary data which were collected through the use of questionnaire and researchers’ personal observation. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that ‘unavailability of rewarding jobs’ and the need ‘to keep the body and soul together’ (in order for the respondents to be able to put food on their table) are top on the list of the reasons for taking up outsourced jobs by employees. The study further revealed that most of the outsourced employees had tertiary education, were poorly remunerated (with no other fringe benefits, or annual salary increments) and their jobs were stressful and demanding. Identified effects of outsourced jobs included-poor working condition and poor standard of living (such as-lack of good food, good clothes and poor accommodation). Outsourced workers worked for between 11 and 15 hours without being entitled to any form of leave (sick, maternity or annual), had no hope of promotion, conversion or advancement on the job and were not satisfied with the nature of their jobs. The study concluded that outsourced or casual job is a serious threat to Human Resources development and advancement.