Abstract:
This study entitled “The role of EAP in managing the morale of social workers in
the Department of Social Development, Greater Tzaneen Office, Limpopo
Province” was conducted by Mawisa Trezar Chauke under the supervisor Prof.
Terblanche and the MSW class of 2015. The goal of this study was to explore the
role of the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) in managing the morale of social
workers in the Department of Social Development, Greater Tzaneen Office, Limpopo
Province.
A qualitative research approach was applied in this study in order to obtain
exploratory data and in-depth information about social work morale. The population
of this study consisted of generic social workers’, focused/ social work coordinators
and social work supervisors in the Department of Social Development, Greater
Tzaneen Office, Limpopo Province. The researcher applied simple random sampling
to select the sample.
A self-developed interview schedule was used as an instrument for collecting data in
a focus group context (see annexure 3). A total of twenty one (21) participants
formed part of this study. The strata consisted of seven (7) generic social workers,
(8) focused/ social work coordinators and six (6) social work supervisors. Data was
analysed qualitatively following the steps of data analysis as described by Shurink,
Founche & De Vos.
It has been discovered through empirical study that social workers morale in Greater
Tzaneen office is very low. Every participant in all three focus groups (generic social
workers, programme coordinators and social work supervisors) was concerned
about the lack of infrastructure within the department which hinders them from
offering quality services to their clients.
They further alluded that the roles of supervision in Greater Tzaneen Office were not
properly implemented due to lack of resources, inadequate supervisor to officer
ratios, office space is not allowing for proper one-on-one supervision sessions and
also low morale amongst supervisors themselves. Participants in all three focus groups further alluded that they have lost the spirit of
service delivery and it’s hard to focus on clients’ problems when they have their own
problems. There is an impression in the communities that “anyone can be a social
worker”. The findings further reveal the loss of pride in being a social worker where
participants are ashamed to be associated with the social work profession.
Participants from the group of focused and generic social workers believed that EAP
practitioners could lessen the strain of dealing with sensitive cases. EAP services
within the DSD Limpopo are not visible and accessible to employees since they are
only based in the provincial level. The EAP has a major role in uplifting the social
workers’ morale by providing several services such as counselling and educating
employees in several issues of concern.
Participants believe that SACSSP could uplift social work morale by engaging the
DSD administration to address issues of concern. They can also uplift social workers
morale by showing them concern and support instead of just regulating them. The
findings further reveal that SACSSP needs to monitor the department more
effectively and also to assist social workers to understand SACSSP’s roles better.
For social workers to be productive and effective in the workplace the DSD should
provide necessary resources such as vehicles (fast-tracking the processing of
subsidized vehicle), computers or laptops, cellphones, access to internet, emails,
photocopiers with printers and scanners. The more conducive the working
environments are, the more employees are happy to render effective services
without any frustration.
The DSD should improve social work salaries by considering SAQA NQF levels. This
will motivate and improve their morale in rendering quality and effective services
because they will be well paid. The DSD should erect their own structures which will
be accessible to any client. They also need to improve the new one’s they already
have. This will dignify and restore the image of social workers within the community
and also increase the respect they receive from other professionals.