Journal of Business & Financial Affairs

Factors Affecting Labour and Leisure Time Decision: Evidence fr om Small and Medium Enterprises in Masvingo Urban

Abstract

Mapira D*, Gerald G and Enerst MC

The paper establishes the factors considered when making labour-leisure time decisions among employees in the Small and Medium Enterprises. A qualitative study was conducted using two different interview guides, one for shop floor employees and the other one for managers who acted as key informants. Twenty two employees were interviewed and four key informants also took part in the study. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. It has emerged from the study that employees in SMES sector know the factors that affect labour-leisure time decisions but they do not affect their work and non-work activities decisions. Some participants also highlighted that wage rate; culture, substitution and income effect affect labour-leisure time decisions but in reality they do not consider these factors due to unemployment and low wage rate in the industry which forced them to attach more value on work than leisure. Participants also revealed that due to low wage rate they prefer to work during weekends and holidays because are guaranteed of an extra income than going for leisure. As recommendations, it is argued that employees value leisure time as it reduces work related stress and death from exhaustion and companies must intervene in some of these extreme cases whereby employees go for years without taking leave days by forcing them to utilize their leave days (forced leave).