Exploring the utilisation of Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services in the Department of Transport KwaZulu-Natal: the perceptions of traffic officers.

Abstract

Background It has been noted across the globe, especially in industrialised countries where many companies have invested in EAPs. Improving the conditions in a workplace remains on the agenda in most workplaces, including government. Sufficient literature and experts suggest that the relationship between employer and employee can be improved through Employee Assistance Programmes. The working conditions are such that traffic officers are exposed to trauma on the road. While stress is unavoidable, occupational stressors should be limited and support structures like EAP should be effective in equipping employees with coping mechanisms. The main concern in this study is that there is underutilisation of EAP services. Purpose The purpose of the study was mainly at exploring the perceptions of traffic officers on the utilisation of EAP services in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport. The specific objectives involved the exploration of the perceptions of traffic officers on the relevance and the value of EAP services in promoting their occupational wellness; examining the traffic officers’ understanding of the EAP role in relation to their working conditions; examining the organisation’s strategies enabling the traffic officers in coping with occupational- related challenges and provision of recommendations for the implementation of the EAP in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport. Methodology The study used the qualitative research approach. Data was collected from 28 traffic officers in the Department of Transport in Pietermaritzburg region. The sample was obtained using purposive sampling. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with a voice recorder, and the data was analysed through thematic analysis. Findings The findings of the study were presented in accordance with four main themes and the related subthemes. The themes are summarised as the shared knowledge of EAP, unconducive working conditions, self-created mechanism and contributions by employees. Recommendations Based on the findings, it is recommended that EAP should be marketed to enhance the utilisation and address the myth of the programme. Channels of communication should be available for traffic officers to talk about challenges they face on the road.