An investigation into the South African correctional officers’ experiences of their work and the Employee Assistance Programme

2020 ◽  
pp. 008124632098031
Author(s):  
Rachel Willemse
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
South African ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Correctional Officers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Employee Assistance ◽  
Great Satisfaction ◽  
Employee Assistance Programme ◽  
Assistance Programme

The purpose of the study was to investigate South African correctional officer’s experiences of their work and Employee Assistance Programme and the meaning that they attach to it. A qualitative approach was utilised. Individual interviews were conducted with 20 participants utilising a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analysed through thematic analysis. Seven themes with various subthemes were derived from the data analysis. The findings suggest that correctional officers are confronted with various challenges daily. Officers revealed that their work and work environment had a negative impact on their physical and psychological health as well as their family life. Furthermore, officers reported that aspects of their well-being are neglected. Various coping mechanisms were utilised by correctional officers, which seems to act as a buffer against the negative effects of their stressful work and work environment. A variety of barriers that prevent officers from using the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) service at work were identified. Despite the barriers, correctional officers recognised the overall positive value of the EAP service in the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). They also appear to find meaning in their work. Some correctional officers derive great satisfaction from their job while others experience a sense of reward as a result of the role that they play in the rehabilitation of inmates.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on an employee assistance programme in a multinational insurance organisation: Considerations for the future

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Veldsman ◽  
Ninette Van Aarde
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Employee Assistance ◽  
External Context ◽  
Assistance Programme ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
Value Add ◽  
The Impact

Orientation: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to an increased focus on the effectiveness of employee assistance programmes (EAPs).Research purpose: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the value, utilisation and scope of an EAP within the South African insurance sector.Motivation for the study: Higher levels of stress and anxiety experienced by employees because of COVID-19 has necessitated the need to better understand the reasons for EAPs utilisation and its effectiveness within organisations.Research approach/design and method: The study provided an overview of employee well-being and an overview of the origins and evolution of EAPs. The study utilised thematic analysis to analyse 1002 cases with a sample of n = 907, pre-and post-onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.Main findings: The utilisation of EAPs increased because of COVID-19, yet the reasons for accessing these programmes remained largely consistent before and during COVID-19. At a sub-theme level, the priority of themes differed across the time periods influenced by external context and circumstance.Practical/managerial implications: The study found a need to clearly define employee well-being and reposition the role of EAPs within the organisation. Organisations need to broaden the scope of EAPs and through continuous education and awareness create an environment where employees feel like they can safely access these services.Contribution/value-add: The study contributes towards the current literature on employee well-being and providing a perspective on the relevance, value and utilisation of EAPs before and during a pandemic.

scholarly journals UNDER-UTILISATION OF INTERNAL EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME (EAP) SERVICES BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE IN LEPHALALE, LIMPOPO PROVINCE

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mmaphuti Percy Dipela ◽  
Sello Sithole
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Employee Assistance ◽  
The South ◽  
Police Service ◽  
South African Police Service ◽  
Employee Assistance Programme ◽  
Assistance Programme ◽  
South African Police

An employee assistance programme (EAP) is a service provided by an employer to employees who experience personal problems. Its utilisation becomes a challenge when the targeted population prefers to use alternative services to this programme specifically earmarked for them. Such a situation motivated this quantitative research aimed to evaluate the utilisation of the employee assistance programme in the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Waterberg district of Limpopo Province. A systematic sample comprising of 189 respondents was drawn from the total population of 398 employees. The study revealed that the employees’ awareness of the programme was very low.

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