Assessment of Discrepancies Between Residential Employees' Work Values and Program Directors Perceptions of Residential Employees' Work Values

Abstract

This study assessed discrepancies between residential employees' work values and program directors' perceptions of the residential employees' work values. Additionally, work values of residential employees were analyzed to identify variations when considering gender, age, educational level, length of service, job classification, and current position. The study was undertaken to assist in developing a clearer understanding of the work values of residential employees for the purpose of enhancing administrator-associate relationships and to determine factors in the work setting that might contribute to longevity and more productive, satisfied, motivated employees. Data for the study were gathered from 172 program directors and residential employees in the First Tennessee District by the use of Donald Super's (1970) Work Values Inventory and Demographic Information Questionnaire. Analysis of the data included t-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Tukey's Post-hoc Analysis. There were eight major findings. Residential employees scored higher on the work values creativity, esthetics, and surroundings than program directors perceived they would score. Over 55 age group valued economic returns, independence, intellectual stimulation, and security less than other age groups. No significant differences were found to exist when considering gender or length of service of residential employees. Residential employees with less education placed less value on intellectual stimulation than employees with more education. Residential employees with high school diplomas placed more significance on surroundings than bachelor degree employees. Full-time residential employees placed greater merit on independence and intellectual stimulation than part-time employees. Shift workers placed more merit on economic returns, intellectual stimulation, and security than houseparents. Recommendations were made for program directors for the following work values: way of life, esthetics, surroundings, creativity, economic returns, achievement, altruism, supervisory relations, and intellectual stimulation. Recommendations were also made for future studies on older residential employees, adolescents' perceptions of quality of services received, and the work environment of residential facilities.

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