Exploring the perceptions of supervisors and managers regarding employee wellbeing programmes in the waste management sector

Research on workplace programmes has focused more on employee wellness and not much on employee wellbeing ((Berry, Mirabito & Baun, 2012; Kossak, kaliath & Kaliath, 2012). The reason for such focus is traditionally, the workplace programmes concentrated on physical health of employees and troubled employees (Walsh, 1982) rather than on a more holistic whole life experiences of employees (Malajti, 2001). Supervisors and managers plays a major role in the utilisation of Employee Wellbeing Programmes, because of their close relationship with the employees who are expected to use the services. The study was guided by the use of a qualitative research approach, using the exploratory case studies research design in a waste management industry due to the vulnerability this industry’s workers are exposed to and seeking to explore them. The study sample consisted of 08 women and men participants working as supervisors and managers. In depth semi-structured interviews schedules was used during the data collection process, using a tape-recording to collect the data during one-on-one interviews. The data collected was analysed using a thematic content analysis. The findings of the study contributed to the promotion and designing of Employee Wellbeing Programmes in the workplace, assisting social worker working in the employee wellbeing field to understand how their programmes are being perceived. The study found that Employee Wellbeing Programmes are seen as helping tool and of educational process, where supervisors and managers play roles of referring, supporting, managing and enforcing company policies. KEY WORDS Employee Wellbeing Programmes,GR201