PERCEPTION AND MANAGEMENT OF LITIGATIONS BETWEEN STAFF AND AUTHORITIES IN RIVERS STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

This study investigated the perception and management of litigations between staff and authorities in Rivers State Universities. The descriptive survey design was used. Three research questions were formulated for the study. The proportional stratified random sampling was used in the selection of 6,288 respondents from a total population of 16,943 consisting of final year students, academic and non-academic staff and management of three higher education institutions in Rivers State. A structured Likert format questionnaire called “Litigations and the management of higher institutions in Rivers State” (LATMOHIRS), validated and with cronbach alpha reliability index of 0.85 was used for data collection. Six thousand, two hundred and eighty-eighty copies of questionnaire were administered and retrieved. Descriptive statistics as the mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. Consequently, the following findings amongst others were made. The perceived causes of staff litigations in higher education institutions include: inconsistencies in statutes guiding the institution, termination of appointment by the management, unlawful dismissal of staff, cases of compulsory leave with or without pay, abuse of fundamental human rights and non-compliance with due process of law in the investigation of allegations. It was recommended that staff (employees) in higher education institutions should abide by the contractual agreement (obedience to rules and regulations) to avoid disciplinary action by the management.