Extent of Involvement of Line Managers in Human Resource Management Functions in Thika Water and Sewerage Company Limited

Abstract

Line managers keep employees motivated, competent and productive. Since line managers who work with employees from day to day, they play an important role in accomplishing the business strategy of the organization. However, line managers are often occupied with operational, marketing and financial goals and in most cases find it difficult to fulfill their human resource management roles. The objective of the study was to establish the level of involvement of line managers in human resource management functions at the Thika Water and Sewerage Company Limited. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. This design was chosen for the study because it enables the description of the current status of a population or phenomenon being studied. The target population comprised of nineteen (19) line managers at the Thika Water and Sewerage Company Limited. Structured questionnaire were used to collect primary data. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and presented using tables and figures. The study found that line managers of Thika Water Sewerage Company are involved in development of policies for recruitment, motivation and reward, selecting candidates by sifting applications, training needs identification, remuneration of staff, communication of strategy and negotiation of pay and benefits. Based on the research findings the study concluded that line managers of Thika Water and Sewerage Company are involved in various human resource functions including development of policies for recruitment, employee motivation, staff appraisal and reward management. The study recommends that line managers of Thika Water and Sewerage Company should be involved in the selection of candidates since have a deeper understanding with the staffing needs of their specific lines, training needs identification and also in staff appraisal, determination of employees’ rewards and benefits based on performance as they are the only one who understand employees’ performance in the organization. The limitation of the study was that it focused on a single firm. The study also encountered unwillingness by respondents to reveal information which was classified as confidential. Further study should be done to establish the level of involvement of line managers in human resource management functions in other organizations.