The development of an employee value proposition framework for the South African water board sector

Abstract

Orientation: The South African water board sector plays an essential role in providing water and basic sanitary needs to the country. Yet the sector faces drastic talent shortages required to deliver its service mandate.

Research purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to develop an employee value proposition (EVP) framework for the South African water board sector.

Motivation for the study: Research on EVPs within the public sector is scarce. Employee value propositions are essential to attract, engage and retain scarce skills.

Research approach, design and method: A qualitative research approach was followed. Semistructured interviews were used to collect the data from talent management stakeholders from nine water boards (n = 9). A constructive grounded theory method was applied to analyse the data.

Main findings: The findings showed that EVPs received limited priority within the water board sector. The water board sector offered various financial awards, benefits, training and development opportunities to employees. In addition, the participants perceived a positive institutional culture and employment brand. The water boards thus already had fundamental building blocks available to integrate into a compelling EVP.

Practical/managerial implications: The findings of this research emphasise the importance of management commitment towards creating a compelling EVP that will attract and retain those talented individuals who are of value to the strategy implementation of the South African water boards sector.

Contributions/value-add: This research presents an original EVP framework that can be used as a guideline to manage workplace talent more effectively to achieve strategic government objectives.