Effects of a Total Rewards System on the Motivation and Quality of Working Life of Female Employees in Institutions of Higher Learning: A Case of the Catholic University of East Africa

Abstract

The researchers undertook a study on the effects of a total rewards system on the motivation and quality of working life of female employees in institutions of higher learning: A case of the Catholic University of East Africa.  The research looked into the prevalent aspects of a total reward system in institutions of higher learning, the effects of these aspects on the motivation of the female employees, impact of these aspects have on their quality of working life and sought suggestions to improve the total reward system of institutions of higher learning. The population under study was the 127 female employees of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. A stratified sampling design was used with instruments used in data collection being questionnaires for everyone in the sample population and interviews with some selected individuals to verify the data filled in the questionnaires.   The data from this study was analyzed and presented using graphs, frequency tables and percentages to represent the data. The major findings of the study lead to the conclusion that the reward system in the institution’s reward system is perceived to be discriminative and not holistic in motivation though there is much room for improvement in meeting the gaps present. The research concludes by recommending review of the institution’s reward system and eliminating all aspects that don’t favor women and employing strategies that have holistic mechanisms of motivation of female employees.

Key words: employee motivation, compensation, total reward system and quality of work life