The research study was to identify what strategies could be used by organizations in managing or containing substance abuse in the workplace. In solving the research problems, the following actions were taken: A literature study was conducted to identify the scope and impact of substance abuse in the workplace; A literature study was also conducted to identify the strategies to prevent and contain substance abuse in the workplace;The findings from the literature studies were integrated into a model of best practices for the management of substance abuse in the workplace; The model was used as a basis for the development of a survey questionnaire to determine which strategies and wellness activities the surveyed companies were using. The questionnaire survey was administered at 25 companies in Port Elizabeth. The empirical results revealed that substance abuse was common at all organizations and the size of the organization had no bearing on the extent of the substance abuse problem. The majority of the participants in the study indicated that they experienced substance abuse problems in their organizations with alcohol consumption being the main problem at these organizations. The results also revealed that companies were not doing enough in terms of education and awareness campaigns. The lack of campaigns and education material could pose a difficult challenge to deal with and could result in companies experiencing adverse performance. Another contributing factor in the prevalence of substance abuse in the workplace was that alcohol and tobacco were referred to as socially acceptable substances.

Organizations assist employees to deal effectively with demanding work and the work environment, including their personal problems, through an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). The essence of the EAP is the application of knowledge about behaviour and behavioural health to make accurate assessments, followed by appropriate action to improve the productivity and healthy functioning of the employees. According to the report from the Employee Wellness Directorate of the Eastern Cape, the Employee Assistance Programme Practitioners saw 576 employees in 2010. These statistics only represent a few districts in the Eastern Cape as some districts do not have Employee Assistance Practitioners offering employee assistance, hence this number could be higher. In some instances employees do self-referral, which may increase the number without the managers knowing who is utilizing the EAP. This makes it difficult for the managers to monitor such employees and the effectiveness of the intervention rendered. Managers refer employees but do not have control over whether employees made use of the EAP and on the progress in sessions as they do not always receive the feedback. The Employee Assistance counsellor may receive a written referral from the nursing manager and then consults the referred employee in private. The employee gives consent and then the EAP counsellor addresses the problem at hand. If it is a complex case needing expert intervention arrangements are made. If the intervention requires follow up sessions, the EAP counsellor makes the necessary arrangements through the referring manager until the problem is resolved. The EAP counsellor monitors the employee and asks the manager to support the employee without divulging details of the problem that was being addressed. However, the Nursing Managers do not know how effective the programme is and whether the employees benefit from the use. The above-mentioned problem led the researcher to ask the following questions: • What are the perceptions that Nurse Managers in the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape Province have of the effectiveness of the Employee Assistance Programme? • How can Nurse Managers optimize employees’ use of the EAP? The goal of this study was to identify the perceptions of Nurse Managers of the Employee Assistance Programme in order to determine how the programme’s use can be optimized. The researcher used a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design. The research population was selected purposively and included the Nursing Managers in the Department of Health in the Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape, who have referred employees to the Employee Assistance Programme. Semi-structured interviews were used during the data gathering process. Interviews were conducted at a venue convenient to the participants. Open-ended questions were asked to enable participants to express their perceptions on the topic. The researcher also used observation and field-notes to ensure that the data gathering provided rich information. The data was analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. Trustworthiness was ensured by using Guba’s model of trustworthiness. The ethical strategies of informed consent, confidentiality and anonymity, avoidance of harm and voluntary participation were ensured. Two themes emerged from the data analysis. Theme one showed that the participants had contrasting perceptions regarding the effectiveness of the current Employee Assistance Programme. Some felt that they have benefitted from the programme while others felt differently. Theme two described the participants’ views elated to improving the utilization of the EAP. Positive and negative factors that impacted on the implementation of EAP have been identified. Results show that both the employer and the employees could benefit if EAP is well implemented. Decentralization of EAP could be very cost effective and could save the employer thousands of rands because resources would be utilized better.

This research investigated the impact of social support on people living with HIV/AIDS. The main aim of the research was to establish the impact that social support or lack thereof has on the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS at Vhembe District in Limpopo Province. HIV/AIDS is a stigmatized disease and such stigmatisation together with lack of knowledge and unrealistic fears can lead to communities, families and friends of the infected people treating them inappropriately or detrimentally. Infected people can also choose not to disclose their status because of fear of being stigmatised. However, despite all the negativity surrounding HIV/AIDS epidemic, there are those who are brave enough to disclose their status not only to their families but to their communities as well. In this research ten (10) respondents, both male and females were interviewed by making use of a semi-structured interview schedule. And since HIV/AIDS is a sensitive and personal topic, an availability sampling method was used. The semi-structured interview schedule consisted of both closed and open ended questions. The researcher used the qualitative method. The findings and responses of all the respondents were analysed and discussed in line with the findings that were described in the literature on HIV/AIDS issues by various authors. The findings of this research can be used by the department, social workers, families of infected people, home based care workers, doctors and nurses and other professionals who work closely with HIV/AIDS infected people. These findings can be used to broaden people’s understanding on the importance and impact of social support or lack thereof to those who are HIV/AIDS infected. / Dissertation (MSD (Employee Assistance Programme))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Thesis (M. A. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / This dissertation on the Evaluation of an Employee Assistance Programme determines the worth or value of the programme by assessing its effectiveness or ineffectiveness. It also seeks to determine if the target population was reached. This study evaluates the level of EAP awareness and utilization by prosecutors. It also focuses on the effectiveness of the programme in addressing their work and personal challenges. It further seeks to understand the level of referring prosecutors to the EAP by their supervisors. The study is evaluative in design and is based on evaluation theory. The population of the study comprises 31 prosecutors from all three Magistrate complexes within Capricorn District (Limpopo Province), namely, Mankweng, Polokwane and Seshego. The total number of prosecutors reached is 31. Data were collected through questionnaires from all the respondents. The study collected information on absenteeism, sick leave and disciplinary matters in order to measure EAP utilisation before and after the programme was introduced to employees. The wish was not successful because the Human Resources system utilised within the NPA did not capture such information as anticipated. The main findings of the study are that prosecutors are aware of the Employee Assistance Programme and most respondents who used the EAP referred themselves. It is clear that prosecutors are aware of the benefits obtained from the programme. Even though a large number of prosecutors were aware of the existence as well as the services offered by the EAP within the NPA, the utilisation rate of the programme was low. The other major finding is that the EAP within the NPA is underutilised. Lastly, the EAP within the NPA in Capricorn District, Limpopo Province is not effective in addressing prosecutors’ work and personal problems.

No description available.

A considerable amount of literature has been written on Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), yet the research to date has not proven the effectiveness of such programs. Due to the confidential nature of EAPs, research data are difficult to find. Many elements make up an EAP. The hypothesis tested during this research is that companies incorporating what are considered by many to be the essential elements of EAPs will have more positive opinions of those elements and will save more money when compared to companies that do not have an EAP. The data were collected over a four-week period from 52 Central Florida businesses. The collection device was a survey which inquired about current EAP practices and general attitudes toward EAPs. The results showed that those companies that have EAPs have more positive opinions on all but one of the attitudinal elements in the survey when compared to companies that do not have EAPs. The results suggest that companies that implement EAPs place more emphasis on practices that will benefit both the employee and themselves.

The purpose of this study was to determine if certain variables could discriminate between those school systems that do and those that do not have employee assistance programs. Using six variables identified in the literature, superintendents across the nation were surveyed to determine the status of these variables in their school systems. Discriminant analysis was used to test how well the variables predicted the existence of employee assistance programs. The results of the analysis indicated that two variables can be used to predict EAP presence. These variables are the superintendent's perception of the benefits of employee assistance programs and the superintendent's perception of the popularity of employee assistance programs in other organizations in the community. / Ed. D.

The problem with which this study is concerned is to determine the perceived attitudes of medical and health school deans toward selected factors that are related to employee assistance programs (EPAs). These factors, which are variables in this study, include perceptions toward EPAs of necessity and desirability, purposes and goals, services offered, policies and procedures, sources of referrals, and barriers to successful implementation.

Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), when they first were introduced in the United States of America (USA), were support programmes providing assistance to alcohol addicted employees. During the 1960s, EAPs became comprehensive and offered employee assistance services (EAS) such as financial, marital and family, psychological, work-related stress, chemical dependency (alcohol and drugs), depression, health, anxiety, and even job boredom problems that affect employee work performance. Since then, EAPs have proven to be valuable because skilled and high performing employees who experienced problems could receive assistance in the workplace and once they overcame their problems, they often became more productive and more employers could benefit from EAPs. Due to the benefits provided by EAPs to both employees and employers, South Africa is one of the many countries that have adopted this performance-enhancing strategy. EAPs in South Africa are a relatively new workplace management phenomenon designed similarly to the USA model and thus do not have a long history. In the South African Police Service (SAPS), EAPs are as a result of the operational nature of policing services and the demanding conditions under which police services are carried-out. The EAPs are provided as a means of employee support to promote employee wellness and to create a working environment that is conducive to an effective and efficient delivery of police services. This research investigated the implementation of EAPs at Moroka Police Station, the biggest of the eleven (11) police stations that are situated within Soweto. This station serves approximately a total population of two hundred and fifty thousand (250 000) community members. The research gathered opinions of three selected groups of respondents (non-commissioned officers, EAP practitioners and commissioned officers) about the effectiveness of EAPs in the study area and how they can be improved. Employees in this police station, as in many others, are exposed to daily traumatic events since their duties require them to attend to crime scenes such as murder, collisions of varying seriousness, and often witness the murder of their colleagues. These incidents have a profoundly adverse impact on their psychological well-being and work performance. The findings show that even though remarkable progress has been made with the institutionalisation of EAPs, there are a few concerns which still require management’s attention. From the results of the interviews held with the non-commissioned officers, a few concerns, that if attended to could improve the effectiveness of EAP, include concerns about non-commissioned officers’ lack of knowledge of the functions of EAP, their general experience of EAP, the credibility and adherence by EAP practitioners to ethical guidelines, the frequency of the consultations as well as concerns about the accessibility of the EAP to them. The findings of the interviews held with EAP practitioners tended to be less complimentary than those gathered from non-commissioned officers, and a longer list of concerns was recorded. Numerous concerns that relate to the circumstance under which they administer EAS were articulated. These include concerns about how employees perceive the EAP and their understanding of EAS. Lastly the findings of the questionnaires administered to the commissioned officers, as compared to both the findings gathered from the non-commissioned officers and EAP practitioners, were more positive, especially their understanding of the EAP, how the EAP functions, their overall experience of the services provided through the EAP and their overall satisfaction of the EAS. Although the findings were positive there were few concerns that they identified as needing attention. These concerns are the functions of EAP, implementation of EAP, general experience of EAP, feedback from the EAP practitioners and resistance by employees to consult EAP practitioners. This research concludes by offering recommendations for each of the three groups, and by offering a research agenda for further investigation in this field. / Public Administration and Management / M.Tech. (Public Administration)

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An explorative study of the Social Worker's role and responsibilities to develop the leadership potential of grassrootslevel employees in industrial organisations was undertaken. This subject was chosen with requirements in mind, which are necessary for the transformation process to be presented to industrial organisations for the implementation of affirmative action. A comprehensive literature study revealed that social workers can make a positive and essential contribution to organisations, either as an industrial social worker, or an affirmative action specialist, or as a member of the human resources development team. A discussion of the necessary leadership qualities, the implementation of affirmative action, and useful resources that may be used for development programs, is included. The literature study was followed by an empirical study. The empirical study was made with the assistance of questionnaires. The questionnaires were used to collect data on the perceived role of social work in the industrial organisation. Organisations that do utilise social work services were approached for permission and co-operation to complete the questionnaires. Seventeen respondents from fifteen organisations were selected in a random process, for inclusion in the study. The research indicated that social workers have different roles to play in vanous organisations, and with the values, knowledge base and competencies that are brought to the organisation, have a responsibility to ensure that affirmative action and labour equality is brought to fruition. With regard to the implementation of leadership development programs in industrial organisations, it was noted that grassroots level employees were seldom included in the programs, although the majority of social workers believe that all employees should participate in the programs. A summary of the skills and knowledge base required by the industrial social worker to deliver an effective service in the organisation, and to manage the development and training of employees, is included. Some skills that require further development by social workers were identified. It was also found that individuals hold different perceptions and definitions of affirmative action and it's implementation in organisations. The recommendations are, inter alia, that all leadership development programs must be continuously monitored, evaluated and subsequently followed up to assess their applicability and effectiveness. The training of industrial social workers must focus more on the development of negotiating and training skills and stimulation of assertive actions. A larger variety of resources, such as video recordings, role playing, dramatisation, interactive computer programs and small group discussions, can be used in addition, for the training and development of grassroots level employees. Should these recommendations be implemented, industrial social workers can make a significant contribution to the development and improvement of South Africa's economic, political and social situation by extending the potential of the grassroots level employees, who constitute the greatest portion of the total labour force. A group of people can thus be empowered to function optimally and to respond to the guidelines of the White Paper for Social Welfare 1997. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Verkennende studie oor maatskaplike werkers se rol en verantwoordelikheid om die leierskapspotensiaal van grondvlakwerknemers in bedryfsorganisasies te ontwikkel, is onderneem. Die onderwerp is gekies met die oog op die vereistes wat die proses van transformasie aan bedryfsorganisasies stel om regstellende aksie doeltreffend te implementeer. 'n Omvattende literatuurstudie het aan die lig gebring dat maatskaplike werkers 'n positiewe en onmisbare bydrae het om aan bedryfsorganisasies te lewer, hetsy as bedryfsmaatskaplike werker, as regstellende aksie spesialis of as deel van die menslike hulpbronontwikkelingspan. 'n Bespreking van noodsaaklike leierskapskwaliteite, die implementering van regstellende aksie en hulpmiddels wat vir ontwikkelingsprogramme benut kan word is ook ingesluit. Die literatuurstudie is opgevolg deur 'n empiriese studie. Die empiriese ondersoek is aan die hand van vraelyste uitgevoer. Die vraelyste is benut om data oor die rol van maatskaplike werk in bedryfsorganisasies te bekom. Bedryfsorganisasies wat wel van maatskaplike werkdienslewering gebruik maak, is genader en toestemming en samewerking is verkry. Deur middel van 'n nie waarskynlikheidseleksiemetode is sewentien respondente binne vyftien organisasies in die Kaapse Metropool geselekteer om aan die ondersoek deel te neem. Die navorsing het aangedui dat maatskaplike werkers verskillende rolle in bedryfsorganisasies vertolk, en met die waardes, vaardighede en kennisbasis wat na die organisasie gebring word, 'n verantwoordelikheid het om toe te sien dat regstellende aksie en arbeidsgelykheid in organisasieverband tot volle reg kom. Met betrekking tot die implementering van leierskapsontwikkelingsprogramme in organisasies, het dit aan die lig gekom dat grondvlakwerknemers selde ingesluit word by die programme, alhoewel die meerderheid bedryfsmaatskaplike werkers van mening is dat alle werknemers aan die betrokke programme kan deelneem. 'n Uiteensetting van die vaardighede en kennisbasis wat die maatskaplike werker benodig ten einde effektiewe diens binne 'n bedryfsorganisasie te lewer, asook om die ontwikkeling en opleiding van werknemers te behartig, is voorsien. Enkele vaardighede wat verdere ontwikkeling by bedryfsmaatskaplike werkers verg, is identifiseer. Daar is ook bevind dat individue verskillende definisies en persepsies het met betrekking tot regstellende aksie en die implementering daarvan in bedryfsorganisasies. Die aanbevelings sluit in dat alle leierskapsontwikkelingsprogramme deurlopend, sowel as na afloop daarvan evalueer en ook opgevolg moet word ten einde die toepaslikheid en effektiwiteit daarvan te monitor. Die opleiding van bedryfsmaatskaplike werkers moet meer fokus op die ontwikkeling van onderhandelings- en opleidingsvaardighede, en ook assertiewe gedrag stimuleer. 'n Groter verskeidenheid hulpbronne kan in kombinasie vir die opleiding en ontwikkeling van grondvlakwerknemers gebruik word, soos videoopnames, rollespel, drama, interaktiewe rekenaarpakette asook kleingroepbesprekings. lndien hierdie aanbevelings geïmplementeer word, kan bedryfsmaatskaplike werkers 'n prominente bydrae tot die ontwikkeling en vooruitgang van Suid-Afrika se ekonomiese, politieke en sosiale situasie lewer, deur grondvlakwerknemers, wat 'n groot deel van die totale arbeidsmag uitmaak, se potensiaal te ontgin. Sodoende word 'n geïdentifiseerde groep persone bemagtig om optimaal te funskioneer en word daar terselfdertyd aan die riglyne soos deur die Witskrif vir Maatskaplike Welsyn 1997 bepaal, beantwoord.