A comparative study between Employees Assistance Programmes and Occupational Social Work in the Limpopo Province South Africa

Abstract

Introduction and background: There are two programmes that are both aimed at addressing work related and personal problems in the workplace, namely Employee Assistance Programme(EAP) and Occupational Social Work(OSW). It was not clear what the difference and similarities are between Employee Assistance Programmes and Occupational Social Work. There was very little literature available critically outlining the differences between the two professions. Therefore the study is aimed at comparing the two professions in order to outline both the differences and similarities. Design and Methods: Qualitative exploratory and descriptive research was conducted to determine the differences and similarities between EAP and OSW. Data had been collected through telephonic interviews, through means of a semi-structured interview schedule. Criteria for trustworthiness were adhered to throughout the study. Ethical standards were adhered to in order to ensure quality of the study. Findings: The findings of the study reveals lack of knowledge of core technologies amongst OSWs; they displayed confusion between the core technologies and the OSW practice model.The findings revealed that there is no legislation specific for OSW and EAP; they both rely on the legislation in general. The findings revealed that there are differences between EAP and OSW as well. The differences that were discovered are service delivery, requirements for practice and scope of practice applicable for both professions. Although the two professions differ, there are similarities which are therapeutic services, proactive programmes, core technologies and the fact that they both focus on workplace problems.