Effectiveness of employee health and wellness programme in the Department of Finance, North-West Province

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Employee Health and Wellness Programme (EHWP) in the Department of Finance in the North West Province, South Africa. The study also investigates the benefits of the programme to both employees of the Department of Finance and the Department of Finance as an employer. Interviews were used as data collection method. The researcher considered this data collection method as the most appropriate, considering the depth of information gleaned through one-on-one interviews. Semi-structured interview was also employed to allow the researcher for opportunity to make follow-up questions in order to get more information. The study revealed that Employee Health and Wellness Programme in the Department of Finance, North West Province, is not adequately utilized. The programme is mainly utilized by employees from Administration Programme with less utilization from core programmes. The study further revealed that there is poor participation of staff members and insufficient support from other managers. EHWP is not well-marketed in the department and only a few officials know about the services offered because of this. There are, however, benefits of the programme to employees who participate as they are better informed on health and wellness issues.