The general aim of this study was to gain insight into the perceptions and experiences
of line managers regarding the impact of an employee wellness programme (EWP) on
employee wellness and performance at a selected municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. As
a purposive sample, ten line managers were selected to participate in the study by
means of semi-structured interviews. The literature review aimed to conceptualise
wellness, employee wellness and employee performance, as well as to explore the
impact of EWPs on employee wellness and performance. The specific empirical study
aims were to determine line managers’ level of awareness and knowledge of the
municipality EWP and its purpose, to explore the challenges faced by line managers
within the EWP, to explore if the line managers perceived and experienced the
municipality EWP as being beneficial to employee wellness and whether participating
in the EWP improved employee performance. Lastly, the aim was to make
recommendations for improvement that can assist the municipality in enhancing the
impact of the EWP on employee wellness and performance within the industrial
psychology discipline, and in particular when it comes to employee wellness.
The research findings reveal that line managers were aware of and had knowledge
about the existence of the EWP through marketing campaigns, inductions and
activities. They also confirmed they had personal engagement experience through
participation in the programme. They perceived the main purpose of the EWP as being
to support employees in achieving a work-life balance and providing counselling and
advisory services. Participants noted certain challenges with regard to participating in
the programme, such as fear of being judged, victimised and stigmatised, and a lack
of confidentiality and trust, which affects employees’ privacy and security. Also, they
doubted wellness officer competence, which included the necessary skills and training
for dealing with complex cases. Lastly, gender and cultural beliefs also posed
challenges. Line managers found it beneficial to participate in the EWP. It improved
employee wellness and performance. Employees developed mechanisms to cope with
work, personal and emotional problems. Wellness officer availability, competence and
skills were recommended by participants as ways of enhancing the EWP. Involvement
of other stakeholders was another recommendation for improvement. This
involvement would include wellness champions, organised labour and line managers.
Programme managers should consider increasing EWP awareness by improving
marketing, while emphasising programme benefits and confidentiality. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com (Industrial and Organizational Psychology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/27424 |
| Date | 01 1900 |
| Creators | Makhanya, Buhle |
| Contributors | Van Niekerk, Antoinette |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (viii, 154 pages) : illustrations (some color), application/pdf |
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