Factors that hinder the utilization of the Employee Assistance Programme in the department of labour

Abstract

The utilisation rates of Employment Assistance Programmes (EAP) are influenced by various factors cited in literature. The existence of written policy and its broad distribution, adequate staffing levels, and provision of training for supervisors predicts higher levels of programme utilisation (Weiss, 2003:61). Other recommended features, including maintenance of client confidentiality, accessibility may also be related to utilisation. This quantitative study was conducted with employees from the Department of Labour, in Pretoria. Fifty-five employees from all levels in the Department formed the research sample. The purpose was to investigate factors that hinder the utilisation of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) within the Department of Labour. The investigation focused on awareness, attitudes, accessibility and purpose of the EAP services. Questionnaires were hand delivered to respondents and this minimised cost despite the extension of the geographical areas covered by the researcher. This technique was appropriate for this study since the researcher intended to include 55 employees of the Department of Labour in various labour offices across Gauteng North, Pretoria. Findings indicate that there are various factors influencing employees not to consult the EAP, ranging from concerns about confidentiality, accessibility and reporting protocols of the programme. The limitation of the study is that the sample was drawn from a population which is presented with a variety of health care solutions within their environment. This is argued in light of the fact that other employees of the Department of Labour are situated in areas with minimal environmental health care facilities due to their remote locations.