Farm workers are viewed as a neglected segment in the South African society. This qualitative research study focused on exploring and describing the social needs of farm workers in the Central Koup from the perspectives of samples comprising of farm workers and farm owners and/or managers. The aim was to contribute in finding solutions to address the identified needs through employee assistance programmes (EAPs) as one of the areas that an occupational social worker focuses on. The qualitative data was collected through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews, and the findings were verified with literature. Tesch’s framework for data analysis (in Creswell, 2003) was employed, and data verification was conducted through Guba’s model (in Krefting, 1991:214-222). The findings indicated that the social needs of farm workers could be addressed through typical EAP-related focus areas such as working- and interpersonal relationships, substance abuse, spiritual well-being, recreation, financial management, conflict management, child care and parenting skills, trauma counselling, and practical assistance regarding transport, housing and accessibility of resources. This research endeavour resulted in recommendations regarding the use of EAPs to address the social needs of farm workers. / M. Soc. Sc.

The aim of the study is to determine the nature and utilisation of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) in a white-collar work environment, and, more specifically, in a South African context. Information about the research topic was obtained from accumulate records of the Standard Bank's Employee Well-being Programme (EWP), structured interviews which were conducted with eleven EWP practitioners and a union representative, and from self-administered questionnaires which were completed by a sample of 153 of the bank's employees. The study includes an in-depth literature review on EAPs in general and issues such as the nature and scope of the bank's EWP, the extent to which the EWP addresses employees' needs, the nature and extent of the marketing of the EWP, and the extent to which the workforce is utilising the programme, were explored and described. The main findings are that the EWP shows evidence of acceptance by employees as well as a degree of utilisation that compares favourably with local and international trends. It also shows an incongruence between marketing and employee orientation and training initiatives and reveals that programme evaluation efforts are insufficient and could be significantly improved. Accordingly, recommendations have been made pertaining to the needs of employees, employee and union involvement, a multi-disciplinary approach to case management, marketing, training and evaluation with regard to the EWP, an EWP database, and a post-treatment follow-up. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

Submitted in fulfillment requirement for Doctor of Technology Degree: Human Resource Management, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / The intended contribution of this empirical study was the development of an exploratory employee assistance programme (EAP) model for secondary school educators in KwaZulu-Natal. The academic EAP model formulated was hybrid as it relied on the synthesis of traditional and contemporary paradigms that encapsulated System, Gestalt and Leadership theories. The main problem revolved around the lack of an effective on-site EAP model for secondary school educators in KwaZulu-Natal. Hence the need for this study. The objective of this study was to conduct an audit of EAP policy and action plans at secondary school level in KwaZulu-Natal and develop an exploratory EAP model. The research design adopted a quantitative methodological approach using a self-administered questionnaire that was mailed to a representative sample of 512 secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal. A significant response rate of 59.7% was obtained as 311 respondents returned the questionnaires. The data was analyzed using the computerized Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS version 17.0 for Windows). Some significant findings emerged from this study. The respondents reported that 69.2% of schools did not have an EAP policy, while 66.9% of schools did not have action plans to implement EAP. A further 71.8% of respondents required training on EAP frameworks. The respondents also indicated that 79.1% of educators would use an EAP due to work-related stress and only 9% of schools had a budget to pay external EAP service providers. The Pearson Chi-Square test showed a significant correlation for 25 out of the 27 hypotheses that tested the variables of the exploratory EAP model. One of the recommendations suggest that, for fair and consistent treatment of the troubled and underperforming educator, on- site EAP policy and action plans be developed and implemented. Another recommendation highlighted that, in the absence of specialized EAP professionals, school management teams use the exploratory EAP model as a strategic intervention to assist troubled and underperforming secondary school educators in KwaZulu-Natal. The study concluded with suggestions for future research in this field.

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to provide a theoretical and practical guidelines for the implementation of employee assistance programmes at the Department of Correctional Services in the Western Cape. An explorative research design was used. The historical development of occupational social work international as well as the historical development of occupational social work in the South African context was discussed. The nature and content of employee assistance programmes is also discussed. Attention was given to employee assistance programmes within the organizational context. The functions of the EAP practitioner as well as the current nature and content employee assistance programmes within the Department of Correctional Services is discussed. The roles, knowledge and skills of the occupational social worker is also discussed. An empirical investigation was undertaken in which SIX EAP practitioners participated for the purpose of the study a questionnaire was designed. A structured questionnaire as well as interviews was conducted in order to gather data. Certain recommendations are made based upon the conclusions and findings. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om 'n teoretiese en praktiese riglyne daar te stel vir die implementering van werknemershulpprogramme binne die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste in die Wes-Kaap. Daar is van 'n verkennende navorsingsontwerp gebruik gemaak. In die studie is die ontwikkeling van bedryfs maatskaplike werk internasionaal sowel as in Suid-Afrika bespreek. Die aard en omvang van werknemershulpprogramme is bespreek. Daar is aandag geskenk aan werknemershulpprogramme binne organisasie verband. Die funksies van die werknemershulpprogram praktisyn sowel as die huidige aard van bedryfs maatskaplike werk binne die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste is bespreek. Die rolle, kennis en vaardighede van die bedryfs maatskaplike werker is ook bespreek. 'n Empiriese ondersoek is gedoen waarvan ses werknemerhulpprogram praktisyns deelgeneem het. Vir die doel van die empiriese ondersoek is 'n vraelys ontwerp. Daar is gebruik gemaak van 'n gestruktureerde vraelys en onderhoude om data te versamel. Aan die einde van die studie word daar sekere aanbevelings gemaak wat gebaseer is op die gevolgtrekkings en die bevindings van die studie.

Thesis (MPhil (Curriculum Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond tot die studie: As gevolg van die druk wat op die sukses van eerstejaarstudente by hoëronderwysinstellings geplaas word, word ‘n hulpgroep in ‘n eerstejaarsmodule, Finansiële Rekeningkunde, in die B.Rekeningkunde graadprogram by die Universiteit van Stellenbosch aangebied. Die hulpgroep is daarop gemik om studente, in besonder die voorheen-benadeelde eerstejaarstudente, te help om sukses te behaal in Finansiële Rekeningkunde. Die hulpgroep het verskeie kenmerke. Daar is byvoorbeeld 6 lesings per week in plaas van die normale 4 lesings en bywoning van die lesings is verpligtend. Die hulpgroep grootte word beperk tot ‘n maksimum van 70 studente om aktiewe leer aan te moedig. Op Vrydae is daar ‘n tutoriaalklas waar studente ‘n vraag uitwerk in die klas met die hulp van studente-assistente. ‘n Verskeidenheid bystandsprogramme en hulp word jaarliks aangebied om die deurvloeikoerse van eerstejaarstudente te verhoog en ook om vir studente ‘n positiewe eerstejaarservaring te verseker. Die probleem is dat al hierdie bystand en hulp baie tyd en spesiale insette van dosente en die departement verg, sodat die vraag ontstaan of dit werklik waarde toevoeg. ‘n Verdere kwessie behels die studente se belewenis van so ‘n hulpgroep. Dit was dus noodsaaklik om hierdie en soortgelyke vrae te ondersoek en vas te stel of ‘n hulpgroep beantwoord aan die doel waarvoor dit geskep is. Opsomming van die werk: Daar is gebruik gemaak van ‘n gevallestudie-ontwerp. Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel wat studente se belewenisse van ‘n hulpgroep by die eerstejaarsmodule in Finansiële Rekeningkunde is. ‘n Kombinasie van die kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe navorsingsbenadering is in die ondersoek gebruik deur middel van vraelyste, onderhoude en die analise van prestasiepunte. Gevolgtrekking: Die algehele gevolgtrekking wat uit die ondersoek voortgevloei het, is dat die hulpgroep positief deur die studente beleef word. Verskeie implikasies en voorstelle om die hulpgroep van Finansiële Rekeningkunde aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch meer doeltreffend te maak, het uit die studie voortgevloei. Voorstelle vir verdere navorsing is ook gemaak. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background to the study: Due to the pressures that are being placed on the success of first year students at higher education institutions, a support group was established in a first year module, Financial Accounting, in the B.Accounting degree programme at the University of Stellenbosch. The support group is aimed at helping students, in particular previously disadvantaged first-year students, to achieve success in Financial Accounting. The support group has various features. There are, for example, 6 lectures per week instead of the normal 4 lectures and attendance of the lectures is compulsory. The size of the support group is limited to a maximum of 70 students in order to promote active learning. On Fridays there are tutorial classes where students work on a question in class with the help of student assistants. A variety of support programmes and help are offered annually to increase the pass rates of first year students and also to ensure a positive first year experience. The problem is that all this support and help is very time consuming and requires special inputs from lecturers and the department. This raises the question if it actually adds value. Another issue that was considered is how students experience being part of such a support group. It was thus necessary to investigate this as well as related questions to establish whether a support group meets the purpose for which it was created. Summary of the work: A case study design was used. The purpose of the study was to establish the experiences of the students of a support group at the first year module in Financial Accounting. A combination of qualitative and quantitative data was used in the study, generated by means of questionnaires, interviews and the analysis of performance marks. Conclusion: The overall conclusion that resulted from this study is that the support group is experienced positively by the students. Various implications and suggestions on how to improve the efficiency of the support group in Financial Accounting at the University of Stellenbosch were a direct result of this study. Suggestions for further research were also made.

This research focuses on obesity and other major risk factors for chronic diseases such as Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Heart Disease, and Stroke. Worksite wellness programs have been successful in this realm of health promotion and disease prevention for heart disease and stroke, but their effectiveness in treating diabetes has been uncertain partially due to poor patient compliance, lack of stress reduction strategies, poor diet and lack of persuasive health education on the risk of being obese. Published peer-reviewed articles were reviewed, coded and analyzed to determine best practices, using a modified systematic review approach. The findings from these studies yield results that were used to develop a new employer-sponsored wellness program that is in accordance with the recently passed Affordable Care Act. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The aim of the study is to determine the nature and utilisation of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) in a white-collar work environment, and, more specifically, in a South African context. Information about the research topic was obtained from accumulate records of the Standard Bank's Employee Well-being Programme (EWP), structured interviews which were conducted with eleven EWP practitioners and a union representative, and from self-administered questionnaires which were completed by a sample of 153 of the bank's employees. The study includes an in-depth literature review on EAPs in general and issues such as the nature and scope of the bank's EWP, the extent to which the EWP addresses employees' needs, the nature and extent of the marketing of the EWP, and the extent to which the workforce is utilising the programme, were explored and described. The main findings are that the EWP shows evidence of acceptance by employees as well as a degree of utilisation that compares favourably with local and international trends. It also shows an incongruence between marketing and employee orientation and training initiatives and reveals that programme evaluation efforts are insufficient and could be significantly improved. Accordingly, recommendations have been made pertaining to the needs of employees, employee and union involvement, a multi-disciplinary approach to case management, marketing, training and evaluation with regard to the EWP, an EWP database, and a post-treatment follow-up. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

Text in Afrikaans / The purpose of the research was to determine the extent to which health issues, and particularly work stress, are managed at a welfare organization. The group investigated consisted of 49 registered social workers employed at nine welfare organizations in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. The research process was directed by quantitative research, the research information being obtained through a literature study and structured questionnaire. A number of health issues were identified in the workplace. Based on the empirical investigation it was concluded that health management does not enjoy a high priority at welfare organisations. The health issues that have the most impact on the respondents' work ability are work stress and burnout. It is recommended that organisations compile a holistic policy for health management. There is a need for implementation of employee assistance and wellness programmes for health management. Such programmes promote the productivity and general wellbeing of social workers. / Die doel van die navorsingstudie was om te bepaal tot watter mate gesondheidskwessies, in die besonder werkstres, by 'n welsynsorganisasie bestuur word. Die ondersoekgroep het bestaan uit 49 geregistreerde maatskaplike werkers werksaam by nege welsynsorganisasies in die Nelson Mandela Metropool. Die navorsingsproses is deur kwantitatiewe navorsing gerig en die navorsingsinligting is met behulp van 'n literatuurstudie en gestruktureerde vraelys bekom. Daar word tans 'n aantal gesondheidskwessies in die werkplek geidentifiseer. Na aanleiding van die empiriese ondersoek is daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat gesondheidbestuur nie 'n hoe prioriteit geniet by welsynsorgnisasies nie. Die gesondheidskwessies wat die mees beduidende impak op die respondente se werkvermoe het, is werkstres en uitbranding. Daar word aanbeveel dat organisasies 'n holistiese beleid ten opsigte van gesondheidsbestuur opstel. Daar is 'n behoefie aan die implementering van werknemerhulp- en werknemerwelstandprogramme vir gesondheidsbestuur omdat sulke programme die produktiwiteit en algemene welstand van maatskaplike werkers kan bevorder. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Social Work)

This study evolved from an involvement with professional people in a rural and semi-rural environment thereby taking into account the role which the Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) plays in their professional context of work. Two underlying factors motivate the study. Firstly, that professional needs and capacities of faith, belief and spirituality are not been catered for in the EAPs. Secondly, that an African-Christian wholesome sense making approach provides more satisfactory answers to the lack of faith, belief and spirituality in the EAPs than the modern versions of the classic dualist and tripartite anthropological schemes of soul and body or soul, spirit and body. Furthermore, a wholesome sense making approach supports and tackles people’s wellness and well-being levels more satisfactorily than the classic dualist and tripartite views. An outline of an EAP in which faith leaders and consultants and their programmes are integrated and which contributes to the enhancing of well-being levels and performance management of professional people is described. The main focus of the study revolves around wholesome foursome experiential patterns in which alternating emphases of faith experience are acted out in the sense of ‘I believe God, I believe myself, I believe my human neighbours and I believe the physical natural environment’. This four side pattern of faith experience functions as an important theoretical assumption in the study. A second theoretical assumption has to do with the foursome processual framework of God’s grand acts of creation, reconciliation (redemption= cross and resurrection of Jesus), renewal (ongoing renewal of everything) and consummation and fulfilment towards the end (aim and goal) in which we as people and the physical natural environment are intrinsically and continuously involved. A third theoretical assumption revolves around the foursome experiential professional performance pattern of ‘I perform for God, I perform for myself, I perform for my human neighbours and I perform for the physical natural environment’. The foursome experiential patterns are also set as evaluative pointer patterns around which the empirical investigative part is constructed. / Philosophy and Systematic Theology / D.Th. (Systematic Theology)

Farm workers are viewed as a neglected segment in the South African society. This qualitative research study focused on exploring and describing the social needs of farm workers in the Central Koup from the perspectives of samples comprising of farm workers and farm owners and/or managers. The aim was to contribute in finding solutions to address the identified needs through employee assistance programmes (EAPs) as one of the areas that an occupational social worker focuses on. The qualitative data was collected through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews, and the findings were verified with literature. Tesch’s framework for data analysis (in Creswell, 2003) was employed, and data verification was conducted through Guba’s model (in Krefting, 1991:214-222). The findings indicated that the social needs of farm workers could be addressed through typical EAP-related focus areas such as working- and interpersonal relationships, substance abuse, spiritual well-being, recreation, financial management, conflict management, child care and parenting skills, trauma counselling, and practical assistance regarding transport, housing and accessibility of resources. This research endeavour resulted in recommendations regarding the use of EAPs to address the social needs of farm workers. / M. Soc. Sc.