Employee Wellness Programmes and Productivity in the Workplace: The Case of Gauteng Department of Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2664-3731/16681Keywords:
health promotion programme, ill-health absenteeism, productivity, Gauteng, educationAbstract
Orientation: Employee absenteeism is recognised as a significant contributor to rising health care costs for employers. In response, many organisations have proactively sponsored employee wellness programmes to mitigate these expenses. Theoretically, such programmes are designed to reduce absenteeism due to ill health, foster a positive work environment, and enhance overall productivity.
The Research Purpose: The paper aims to examine employees’ perceptions of the Gauteng Department of Education’s employee wellness programme and its effectiveness in reducing absenteeism related to ill health.
Research Approach: A qualitative research design was employed in this study, utilising a survey questionnaire as the primary data collection method. A purposive sampling technique was implemented to select a sample of 40 employees from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) head office. The goal was to gather participants’ perceptions and experiences concerning their utilisation of the services provided by the GDE health promotion programme.
Main Findings: The findings indicate that while the programme is somewhat effective, several implementation issues must be addressed. Additionally, ethical considerations regarding the programme’s operations are critical, and capacity building for programme implementers is essential to enhance its effectiveness.
Policy Implications: Employee wellness programmes play a vital role in reducing absenteeism due to ill health and boosting productivity. However, there is a pressing need for improved implementation strategies and increased awareness of these programmes.
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