SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES AS PERCEIVED FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ABSENTEEISM AND TARDINESS AMONG LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Every organization and institution expect their employees to be regular and punctual to work to meet the needs of their organizations and accomplish the organization's vision statement. The study investigated the extent to which socio-economic variables and demographic variables can affect absenteeism and tardiness among the local government employees in Ekiti state, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised all local government employees in Ekiti state. Four hundred and fifty (450) respondents were sampled using a simple random sampling technique. The study was guided by three (3) research questions and three hypotheses. A 15 – item questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The instrument was validated by three experts. Cronbach’s alpha technique was used to establish reliability before administering the instrument to the respondents. A reliability coefficient of 0.82 was obtained. The data collected was analyzed using the mean score for the research questions and a t-test was used for the hypotheses. The findings among others were that training and development programmes are tools for correcting local government employees’ absenteeism and tardiness. The study concludes with some far-reaching recommendations as a way forward.