The role of managers in the successful utilisation of the employee assistance programme in a provincial Department of Education

Abstract

The main goal of this study was to explore the perceptions of managers regarding their role in the successful implementation of the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) in the Department of Education (DoE) in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The researcher used a qualitative research approach to explore the perceptions of managers regarding their role in the successful implementation of the EAP in the DoE. To do this, the researcher used a probability sampling technique with the purposive sampling method to select the sample for this study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with the use of an interview schedule to gather data form 24 participants. With regard to data analysis, the researcher employed Creswell’s (1998) analytical spiral to analyse the data collected from the participants. The analysis involved both the transcription and interpretation of the data. The empirical findings revealed, on the one hand, that participants were knowledgeable about the EAP and its usefulness in managing performance. Although this is case, the findings of the study showed, on the other hand, that these participants do not use the programme to manage poor performance within the DoE. As a justification, the participants reported a lack of understanding when it comes to referral processes and types of referrals to the programme. Even important to note was that managers showed little trust (if not completely none) to staff members who deal with the EAP when it comes to upholding confidentiality and professionalism. Thus, recommendations from the participants called for an active participation and involvement in the EAP on the part of the managers to ensure a successful implementation of the programme. Such recommendations included, amongst others, the training of managers in the DoE.