Abstract:
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) contribute significantly to employment and poverty alleviation in Namibia, relying mostly on the labour of its employees for production. However, not much is known about the personal and work-related problems experienced by employees in SMEs that impact their productivity and how these problems are addressed in the workplace.
Therefore the aim of this study was to design, implement and evaluate an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) suitable for SMEs in Namibia. In order to achieve the general objectives of the study, the following sub-objectives were formulated:
Explore the type of problems experienced by SMEs and its employees;
Describe ways to address these problems as viewed by SMEs and its employees;
Develop and implement an EAP for SMEs;
Evaluate the newly developed EAP after a 12-month implementation and
administration period;
Compile and disseminate guidelines for EAPs for SMEs in Namibia, based on the
research findings.
An extensive literature review was conducted to contextualize SMEs in terms of significance, operations and the challenges it faces. In addition, a review of the literature around EAPs was undertaken with a specific focus on small businesses. It became evident from the literature that EAPs are diverse. The intervention research design was applied in this study. The study adopted the two-phase sequential mixed methods research approach in which both quantitative and qualitative approaches, methods and procedures were combined to come up with a more complete picture of the research problem. The review of the literature led to the exploration of needs of SME owners/employers and employees using semi-structured interviews. The outcome of the needs assessment provided input for the development of an EAP guided by the EAP core technologies and EAPA-SA Standards. The EAP which was developed was implemented in four SMEs in Windhoek and focused on employee education.
Pre- and post-intervention assessments measuring the impact of the employee education sessions in terms of absenteeism, presenteeism, work engagement, life satisfaction and workplace distress was undertaken using the Workplace Outcome Suite (WOS). The WOS is a standardised measuring instrument, was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the EAP intervention. In addition, trainings provided to the EAP counsellors and supervisors in SME as well as the marketing strategy applied was also assessed. The evaluation of the training sessions and marketing strategy revealed that participants gained insight into EAPs and its benefits for employees as well as the workplace. Although there was a reduction in absenteeism as a result of the intervention, there is a need for a comprehensive EAP that incorporates both counselling and employee education to ensure optimal utilisation and effectiveness. Overall, this study highlighted the need for an EAP for SMEs, taking into account the uniqueness of SMEs.
