The need for an employee assistance programme at the department of health

M.A.Many organizations are beginning to realize the value of their employees. Employees are to a large extent the engine of the organization. It is through the employees that organizations can realise their objectives. It thus makes sense that organizations invest in and support their employees. Today's employees are under a lot of pressure and stress from home and at the workplace. The Department of Health, just like any other organization, is faced with the challenges of dealing with personal as well as work-related problems. These problems have an effect on job performance. An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a programme that is utilized to resolve personal and work-related problems. An EAP can be defined as a programme that is designed to deal with the personal and work-related problems of employees and their family members, which may be impacting on productivity and social functioning. EAP has to be based on the special needs and interests of employees, who will be served by such a programme. Needs assessment is important to ensure that the EAP closely matches the needs of the employees. Since the Department of Health has embarked on the development of EAP, it is important that an assessment of the needs of employees precedes such a development. The aim of this research study was to conduct a needs assessment for an EAP in the Johannesburg and West Rand Health Region, Region A, Cluster B. The objectives of the study were (a) to identify employee personal problems, (b) to determine the level of employee work related problems and job satisfaction and (c) to make recommendations which would contribute towards an appropriate and relevant EAP for Johannesburg and West Rand Health Region, Region A. The findings of this study showed that the personal problems that needed the particular attention of the EAP practitioner are traumatic life events, health and financial problems. It was also found that respondents are experiencing work-related problems as well as problems with job satisfaction to a moderate extent. The majority of respondents indicated that there is a need for an EAP in the Johannesburg and West Rand Health Region, Region A, Cluster B. It was recommended that an EAP be introduced for Johannesburg and West Rand Health Region.Dr. W. Roestenbur