The effective implementation of employee performance management and development systems and its impact on employee success at a selected public health institutions within the eThekwini District of Kwazulu-Natal

Abstract

Since the inception of democracy in South Africa, the public sector has had to deal with increasing demands within an ever-shrinking public purse due to competing needs. Commitment and peak performance are amongst other pieces of a puzzle that are needed to render services in accordance with the expectations of members of the public who are increasingly growing impatient. This study focuses on the effective implementation of a performance management system and its impact on public health institutions. According to Chan and Lynn (1991), the organisational performance criteria should include service rendered, effectiveness, client satisfaction, as well as employee morale. The purpose of the study was to investigate and evaluate the effective implementation of Employee Performance Management Development System and its impact on employee success in the work environment. Quantitative research methods were utilised to describe the understanding, attitudes and perceptions of individual employees with regard to the effective implementation of an Employee Performance Management Development System in the workplace. The majority of the participants concur with most of the statements, which shows that employees perceive the EPMDS as an effective tool to measure performance management. The study also reveals that if EPMDS can be effectively implemented, it can achieve desired results and positive spin-offs in terms of employee buy-in, commitment to work ethic and developing a sense of ownership from the individual perspective. Employers need to change from the traditional performance appraisal system as the time has come for a new model of the performance management process which introduces a paradigm shift and innovative ways of doing things, including engaging employees from the beginning of the performance cycle and on-going mentoring.