Organisational culture and Employee Health and Wellness Programme service delivery in South African Police Service in Limpopo

Abstract

The goal of the study was to explore and describe the influence of organisational culture on EAP service delivery in the SAPS in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study was conducted with the EHW/EAP personnel of Limpopo Province. Due to the small population, the study was composed of 15 EHW/EAP personnel who were regarded as the sample. The research approach utilised in the applied study was a qualitative approach. A semi-structured interview schedule was utilised to collect data from the EHW/EAP personnel in order to uncover the influence of organisational culture on Employee Health and Wellness programme service delivery in the South African Police Service in Limpopo. A theoretical background about organisational culture was provided through a literature study. In the study the background of the SAPS, discussion of the organisational culture together with the dominant culture were indicated. The characteristics of organisational culture, types of organisational culture, and levels of organisational culture together with factors contributing to the organisational culture were also clarified. The SAPS as an employer, the culture of police organisation, how culture is maintained in the SAPS, Employee Assistance Programme/Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) in SAPS together with the integration of the organisational culture and EHW were also highlighted. The findings of the study revealed that lack of management support towards EHW services affects service delivery. They indicated that commanders do not utilise the EHW services except when there is a crisis. Some of the participants further indicated that trust and respect need to be assured by the EHW in order to make EHW more attractive to the police officers.