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BAME Staff and Public Service Motivation: The Mediating Role of Perceived Fairness in English Local Government

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  • Wen Wang

    (University of Wolverhampton)

  • Roger Seifert

    (University of Wolverhampton)

Abstract

This study aims to examine the perceptions of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff in English local government on the ethical nature of their treatment at work, and its mediating effect on their Public Service Motivation (PSM). This is a particular imperative in a sector which itself delivers social justice within a strong regulatory system designed to ensure workplace equality and therefore is expected to be a model employer for other organisations. Employees place great importance on their fair treatment by their employers and, in particular, the endeavour of managerial authority to implement equality at work based on their discretionary powers. 2580 valid responses were collected from 15,000 questionnaires sent to staff in five local councils in England. Our analyses show that BAME employees have a significantly stronger PSM than their white colleagues; however, this has been eroded by their perception of unfair treatment: being underpaid allied with a lack of effort from management to ensure an equal work environment, to be specific, to prevent discrimination, bullying, and racism at workplace. Most importantly, the perceived exertion made by management to ensure an equal work environment has a significantly strong mediating effect on PSM and a compensational effect on perceived lower pay. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Wen Wang & Roger Seifert, 2020. "BAME Staff and Public Service Motivation: The Mediating Role of Perceived Fairness in English Local Government," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(3), pages 653-664, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:161:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-018-3953-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-3953-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Wen Wang & Roger Seifert, 2022. "The End of Meaningful Work in the Not-for-Profit Sector? A Case Study of Ethics in Employee Relations Under the New Business-Like Operation Regime," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 181(1), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Penelope Muzanenhamo & Rashedur Chowdhury, 2023. "A Critique of Vanishing Voice in Noncooperative Spaces: The Perspective of an Aspirant Black Female Intellectual Activist," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(1), pages 15-29, February.

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