An Investigation of Factors Affecting Employee Performance among Millennials in the Public Service in Zimbabwe: A Case of Hospitals in Zvimba District

Abstract

This study used mixed research methods to collect data. The survey involved selecting a representative sample of 116 respondents drawn from a population of 701Millennials (Generation Y employees) working in hospitals in Zvimba District. Questionnaires were administered on 100 Millennials to provide information on factors that affect their performance. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with hospital senior management to complement information provided by the youthful employees and to clarify arising issues.The study established that Generation Y employees prefer to be deployed to hospitals close to their families and friends, where there is internet connectivity, adequate equipment and technology; where transport is readily available and at hospitals which offer accommodation.Millennials in hospitals also expected challenging non-routine work and opportunities for advancement. Issues of decent and fair remuneration, recognition, continuous training and development and positive feedback on contributions were also cited. The study also established that Millennialsprefer democratic, transformational, transactional, consultative/participatory and servant leadership and will not perform well if managers used autocratic leadership styles. The study recommended leadership training to help managers of Millennials in the health sector to appreciate the needs of these young employees.Noting that most leaders and managers of Millennialsare older generation (Generation X), the study recommended health leaders and managers to develop complementary set of leadership and motivationalcapabilities through leadership development, succession planning, collaboration, knowledge sharing,delegation, training and development,. Concerted effort should be made to deal with issues of remuneration so that young health employees love and respect their work.