UNDERSTANDING FACTORS PROPELLING LABOUR TURNOVER OF MARRIED FEMALE WORKERS IN THE RETAIL INDUSTRY IN MASVINGO URBAN

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to interrogate factors that influence labour turnover of married female workers in Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the retail industry. The study utilized the qualitative research approach with structured interviews being used to solicit data from twenty-two purposively selected participants who had left employment within the last five years from SMEs in the retail sector. The findings of the study showed that labour turnover of married female workers in the retail sector was alarmingly high. The main drivers of labour turnover were sexual objectification of married female workers at workplaces, heavy and physically demanding work and human engineering. Disputes of rights, glass ceiling and securing marriages were some of the major propellers of labour turnover of married female workers in SMEs in the retail sector. The high rate of labour turnover significantly affects the performance of SMEs. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing information on labour turnover of married female workers an area which has not been explored by many researchers. The results also help managers of SMEs in the retail sector and government authorities to pay close attention and possibly address the problems faced by female employees in the retail industry.

Keywords

• labour turnover
• female workers
• smes
• retail sector