Human Resource Management Issues at a Rising Entrepreneurial Company in Cameroon: Employees' Perspective

This case study examines the human resources practices in Universal-Cameroon Link, a promising small business in Cameroon. In-depth interviews were conducted with current and past employees to gain insight into their perspectives on management implementation of human resource management strategies and their (non-)effectiveness. Management treatment of employees not as significant contributors to the growth and success of the business, but mere as "tools" has resulted in distrust from both parties. Employees' dissatisfaction is exhibited through actions such as absenteeism and turnover while management practices of withholding earnings, nepotism, forfeiting overtime payments and bullying employees are indications of serious human resource management challenges for the business. Based on these discussions, targeted areas/questions are identified for management consideration to ensure the maximum utilization of the employees' contributions to the success of the business.