The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of financial problems on the productivity of the employees of the Department of Social Services, Population and Development, Ermelo District, as a way or method of helping troubled employees to identify causes of their financial problems and how the problems impact on their productivity. A quantitative approach was used to determine the impact that financial problems have on employees’ productivity. The researcher utilized the quantitative approach because she wanted to base her knowledge gained on objective measurements of the real world, not one someone’s opinion, beliefs or past experiences. Applied research was relevant to this study as the knowledge gained, can be utilized to resolve productivity problems impacted by financial problems. The study was an exploratory research as little is known about this subject. The researcher used probability sampling with a simple random sampling method to select the sample of 30 respondents from the population of 320 employees. The researcher compiled a questionnaire to collect information from the employee’s. The results derived from all the respondents indicated that, employees at the Department of Social Services Population and Development Ermelo District experience financial problems. The problem has a negative impact on their productivity and other problems are stated to be emanating from financial problems. It also revealed that there is no Employee Assistance Programme in the Department. The problems of employees are left unattended hence there is no method that is used to address them. It is then concluded that financial problems has a negative impact on the employee’s job productivity, hence there is a need for introduction and implementation of an Employee Assistance Programme. / Dissertation (MSD (EAP))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted