Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The study was conducted in Polokwane sub-district targeting all the employees at Polokwane One-stop Centre. The specific focus was drawn to all permanent Social workers, Community Development workers and Social Auxiliary workers. The aim of the study was to explore barriers influencing employee participation in Employee Health and Wellness Programmes and to describe barriers influencing employee participation in Employee Health and Wellness Programmes. The data was collected through semi-structured face-to-face interview from all employees who are employed by the Department of Social Development, Polokwane Sub-District. The sample consisted of permanent Social workers, community development workers and social auxiliary workers who have more than one year of experience in the department of social development and excluded all employees who were on the internship programme. The researcher used thematic data analysis to analyse the findings of the study. The study concluded that employees were not participating in the EHWP because of limited knowledge of services rendered at the EHW programme, lack of access to EHW services, privacy and confidentiality of service providers and expertise knowledge of those offering the programmes and inadequate support from management. It is recommended that those in leadership should ensure that they disseminate information about EHWP to all employees.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Background: Employee Health and Wellness Programme is an intervention by government to build and maintain a health promoting workplace. The programme aims to address various health and wellness problems employees‟ face that may negatively impact their performance and productivity. The programme is available for social workers; however, their utilisation is low. It is important to understand how social workers perceive the programme, in order to enhance provision of this programme to them and to promote their general health and wellness. Objectives: The study was aimed at exploring and describing the perceptions of social workers about the Employee Health and Wellness Programme. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured face-to-face interview. The study site was at the selected locations in the Polokwane Municipality. Purposive sampling was used and due to data saturation, 10 participants were interviewed. All the interview sessions were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using content analysis. Results: The results highlighted positive and negative perceptions about the Employee Health and Wellness Programme among social workers and the Department of Social Development. The positive perceptions include alleviating stress and burnout, reduced sick leaves and increased productivity. The negative perceptions include stigma and confidentiality issues. The results also revealed challenges of accessibility, awareness, promotion and marketing of the programme. These challenges make it difficult for social workers to utilise and benefit from the programme as expected. Conclusions: The Employee Health and Wellness Programme should be well implemented, widely marketed and promoted to all employees within the Department of Social Development.