Exploring the job demands and resources of farmworkers in the South African agricultural sector

Orientation: Farmworkers in the agricultural sector are frequently exposed to a range of occupational stressors. The interplay between job demands and available resources plays a critical role in shaping their work-related well-being. Research purpose: This study explored the perceptions of rural f...

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Main Authors: Victoria Springbok, Lene I. Graupner, Lizelle Rossouw
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2025-07-01
Series:SA Journal of Human Resource Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2910
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author Victoria Springbok
Lene I. Graupner
Lizelle Rossouw
author_facet Victoria Springbok
Lene I. Graupner
Lizelle Rossouw
author_sort Victoria Springbok
collection DOAJ
description Orientation: Farmworkers in the agricultural sector are frequently exposed to a range of occupational stressors. The interplay between job demands and available resources plays a critical role in shaping their work-related well-being. Research purpose: This study explored the perceptions of rural farmworkers in the Northern Cape province regarding their job demands and available job resources. Motivation for the study: Farmworkers are a marginalised group highly dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods; however, their experiences are underexplored. Research approach/design and method: The study employed a qualitative research design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants (N = 20) from five different farming locations. The data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes. Main findings: The findings highlight a work environment marked by high job pressure, interpersonal challenges, and adverse working conditions. Despite these challenges, farmworkers identified several supportive resources that positively contributed to their ability to perform their jobs effectively. Practical/managerial implications: The study shows the need for agricultural organisations to enhance the availability of job resources, particularly through Employee Assistance Programmes and support initiatives. Contribution/value-add: This research provide insights into the interplay between job demands and resources for farmworkers. Practical recommendations to improve the quality of work-life in the agricultural sector are made.
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spelling doaj-art-c042ec6fb43e4676b9bb9093abffd8392025-08-20T03:18:54ZengAOSISSA Journal of Human Resource Management1683-75842071-078X2025-07-01230e1e1310.4102/sajhrm.v23i0.2910912Exploring the job demands and resources of farmworkers in the South African agricultural sectorVictoria Springbok0Lene I. Graupner1Lizelle Rossouw2School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, WorkWell Research Unit, North-West University, PotchefstroomSchool of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, WorkWell Research Unit, North-West University, PotchefstroomSchool of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, WorkWell Research Unit, North-West University, PotchefstroomOrientation: Farmworkers in the agricultural sector are frequently exposed to a range of occupational stressors. The interplay between job demands and available resources plays a critical role in shaping their work-related well-being. Research purpose: This study explored the perceptions of rural farmworkers in the Northern Cape province regarding their job demands and available job resources. Motivation for the study: Farmworkers are a marginalised group highly dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods; however, their experiences are underexplored. Research approach/design and method: The study employed a qualitative research design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants (N = 20) from five different farming locations. The data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes. Main findings: The findings highlight a work environment marked by high job pressure, interpersonal challenges, and adverse working conditions. Despite these challenges, farmworkers identified several supportive resources that positively contributed to their ability to perform their jobs effectively. Practical/managerial implications: The study shows the need for agricultural organisations to enhance the availability of job resources, particularly through Employee Assistance Programmes and support initiatives. Contribution/value-add: This research provide insights into the interplay between job demands and resources for farmworkers. Practical recommendations to improve the quality of work-life in the agricultural sector are made.https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2910agricultural sectorfarmworkersruralsouth africajob demandsjob resourceswork-related well-beingnorthern cape
spellingShingle Victoria Springbok
Lene I. Graupner
Lizelle Rossouw
Exploring the job demands and resources of farmworkers in the South African agricultural sector
SA Journal of Human Resource Management
agricultural sector
farmworkers
rural
south africa
job demands
job resources
work-related well-being
northern cape
title Exploring the job demands and resources of farmworkers in the South African agricultural sector
title_full Exploring the job demands and resources of farmworkers in the South African agricultural sector
title_fullStr Exploring the job demands and resources of farmworkers in the South African agricultural sector
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the job demands and resources of farmworkers in the South African agricultural sector
title_short Exploring the job demands and resources of farmworkers in the South African agricultural sector
title_sort exploring the job demands and resources of farmworkers in the south african agricultural sector
topic agricultural sector
farmworkers
rural
south africa
job demands
job resources
work-related well-being
northern cape
url https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2910
work_keys_str_mv AT victoriaspringbok exploringthejobdemandsandresourcesoffarmworkersinthesouthafricanagriculturalsector
AT leneigraupner exploringthejobdemandsandresourcesoffarmworkersinthesouthafricanagriculturalsector
AT lizellerossouw exploringthejobdemandsandresourcesoffarmworkersinthesouthafricanagriculturalsector