Bridget de Villiers, Chantel Harris, Mpumelelo Mkoko
Abstract
Work can be stressful and demanding. Employees who are optimistic are better able to handle work-related challenges. This is because optimistic employees tend to be more engaged and will persist in the face of adversity due to deep sense of connection to their jobs. The South African local government sector presents a particularly challenging work environment. Frequent political regime changes, bureaucratic corruption and inefficient leadership may influence the ability of public sector employees to work effectively and ensure service delivery. It is therefore important to understand how a sense of optimism could influence their engagement and assist them to rise above difficult circumstances.
A quantitative and survey-based study was conducted to explore optimism and engagement at a municipality located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa (n=155). The findings of the study revealed that employees experienced high levels of optimism and work engagement; further, a moderate and positive relationship emerged between these variables. A moderate and positive relationship also emerged between optimism and the engagement subconstructs of dedication and vigour, and a slight but significant relationship between optimism and the subconstruct of absorption. The study contributes towards the field of knowledge and practice as it relates to the constructs of optimism and engagement, more particularly in the public sector.