WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AT THE NATIONAL RAILWAYS OF ZIMBABWE

Abstract

This study focused on assessing the impact of workforce diversity on employee engagement at the National Railways of Zimbabwe. The consistent world changes raised by factors, such as globalisation, new technology development and the increase in migration movements, have generated an increasingly diversified workforce. A diversified workforce is an important organisational resource, regardless of whether the goal is to be an employer of choice, to provide excellent customer service or to maintain a competitive edge. The data used in this research was acquired from a sample of 30 respondents who represented various departments and, from the data that was collected using Likert scale questionnaires, the researcher discovered that there is a statistically significant positive relationship in elements such as gender and age diversity on the engagement of employees. Workforce diversity is an element that should not be overlooked in the functions of an organisation because it is a crucial aspect that can affect the engagement of employees. Organisations are not operating in a vacuum, hence an organisation operating in the 21st century must acknowledge that the business world is changing and the calibre of employees that are being hired in organisations.