Strategies for reducing presenteeism at primary health care clinics in the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Mapikela, Nombulelo Jostiphene
- Authors: Mapikela, Nombulelo Jostiphene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Industrial hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor productivity , Job stress
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6258 , vital:21061
- Description: Presenteeism is defined as the loss in productivity when workers are on the job, but not performing to their best because of health-related issues. As with absenteeism, presenteeism is considered negative as it results in low levels of productivity and can, in the long term, have high cost implications. The research problem in this study was to identify strategies for reducing health-related presenteeism at primary health care clinics in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. To achieve this goal, the following actions were taken: A literature study was conducted to identify the extent of health related presenteeism at primary health care clinics as well as the management thereof. Strategies that could be utilised to prevent and reduce health-related presenteeism, ensuring that there is an ongoing service delivery in the workplace, were identified. The literature study revealed, amongst others, that those who suffer from emotional and physical stress have difficulty in performing well on the job. By law, employers have responsibilities to provide a safe environment. Hence, companies have to conduct an audit re-examining the health and safety document of the company. In addition, employers must ensure compliance within the current and developing legislative context. A balance between professional and personal demands of every employee should be promoted. In so doing, employees are able to trust their managers to share whatever problem is encountered. A commitment from the company and good management of presenteeism will result in a positive effect on productivity and customer service quality. A questionnaire was developed and administered to primary health care clinic personnel in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. The results from this empirical study revealed that sick or tired employees are less able to work at optimum levels. These employees have the potential to aggravate their illness, resulting in prolonged absence, or infecting their colleagues. In the study, chronic diseases were perceived as prevalent among employees at the health care clinics. It did not appear as if the management of stress received much attention or that an audit has been done to determine the state of health of employees. It is therefore necessary to educate employees about the importance of their wellbeing. Welldesigned jobs and good management can assist in minimising organisational stressors. Employers need to be convinced that investing in the health of their employees is in their best interest from a business perspective. In today’s competitive business world, companies look at maximising both profit and productivity. Hence, employee health plays a fundamental role in the success of companies. In the health care environment, the wellness of nurses will lead to more productive behaviour and better service delivery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mapikela, Nombulelo Jostiphene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Industrial hygiene -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Labor productivity , Job stress
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6258 , vital:21061
- Description: Presenteeism is defined as the loss in productivity when workers are on the job, but not performing to their best because of health-related issues. As with absenteeism, presenteeism is considered negative as it results in low levels of productivity and can, in the long term, have high cost implications. The research problem in this study was to identify strategies for reducing health-related presenteeism at primary health care clinics in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. To achieve this goal, the following actions were taken: A literature study was conducted to identify the extent of health related presenteeism at primary health care clinics as well as the management thereof. Strategies that could be utilised to prevent and reduce health-related presenteeism, ensuring that there is an ongoing service delivery in the workplace, were identified. The literature study revealed, amongst others, that those who suffer from emotional and physical stress have difficulty in performing well on the job. By law, employers have responsibilities to provide a safe environment. Hence, companies have to conduct an audit re-examining the health and safety document of the company. In addition, employers must ensure compliance within the current and developing legislative context. A balance between professional and personal demands of every employee should be promoted. In so doing, employees are able to trust their managers to share whatever problem is encountered. A commitment from the company and good management of presenteeism will result in a positive effect on productivity and customer service quality. A questionnaire was developed and administered to primary health care clinic personnel in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. The results from this empirical study revealed that sick or tired employees are less able to work at optimum levels. These employees have the potential to aggravate their illness, resulting in prolonged absence, or infecting their colleagues. In the study, chronic diseases were perceived as prevalent among employees at the health care clinics. It did not appear as if the management of stress received much attention or that an audit has been done to determine the state of health of employees. It is therefore necessary to educate employees about the importance of their wellbeing. Welldesigned jobs and good management can assist in minimising organisational stressors. Employers need to be convinced that investing in the health of their employees is in their best interest from a business perspective. In today’s competitive business world, companies look at maximising both profit and productivity. Hence, employee health plays a fundamental role in the success of companies. In the health care environment, the wellness of nurses will lead to more productive behaviour and better service delivery.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The experiences of employees utilizing an employee assistance programme in a psychiatric hospital
- Authors: Zonke, Phindiwe Princess
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Employee assistance programs -- South Africa , Health services administration , Job stress
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10054 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018571
- Description: Employer’s assistance to employees experiencing personal problems originated in the 19th century. The term Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) was however formulated in the 1970’s in the United States and, initially, only focused on alcohol dependence rehabilitation. EAPs have since seen a paradigm shift in their focus as they now deal with the full range of problems experienced by employees such as family life or relationship issues, work related stresses, financial pressures, depression or anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse. The researcher observed that some employees in the psychiatric institution, where they are employed as both professionals and non-professionals, were experiencing personal problems and very little if anything was done to provide assistance to them. It also seemed as if very few of them made use of the voluntary EAP service made available by the institution. The fact that a number of employees have problems can have serious negative consequences in that it causes a high rate of absenteeism and the institution’s core business, which is to provide care to its users, is compromised. The researcher undertook this study because EAP services fall within the realm of institutional development. This study could therefore make an invaluable contribution to the transformation discourse which has been taking place in the South African health systems in general and psychiatric institutions in particular. The purpose of this research is to determine employees’ experience of utilizing an EAP in a psychiatric hospital. The researcher is personally interested in employees’ experiences of utilizing the EAP in order to provide recommendations that will assist and strengthen the policy/guidelines for the Eastern Cape Department of Health on the use of EAPs. The workplace has an obligation to provide EAP services to employees so as to help them meet their contractual obligations in a holistic and healthy manner. The research goals are to explore the experiences of employees who have utilized an EAP. The findings will be used to make recommendations regarding the utilization of the EAP policy/guidelines that are currently used to assist the employees. The research methodology will be qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual. The research population and sampling for this study will consist of the employees who have made use of an EAP. Participants will be selected using a purposive sampling approach. Data gathering will be done using semi-structured interviews, at a venue convenient to the participants. Open-ended questions will be asked to enable participants to express their perceptions on the topic. The data will be analyzed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. The identified themes will be used to describe employees’ experience of utilizing an EAP. Trustworthiness will be ensured by using Guba’s model of trustworthiness. The ethical principles of beneficence, self-determination and justice will be ensured by asking for each participant’s consent, by not coercing individuals to participate in the study and by ensuring permission from the Department of Health and from the University’s research committee to conduct the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Zonke, Phindiwe Princess
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Employee assistance programs -- South Africa , Health services administration , Job stress
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:10054 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018571
- Description: Employer’s assistance to employees experiencing personal problems originated in the 19th century. The term Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) was however formulated in the 1970’s in the United States and, initially, only focused on alcohol dependence rehabilitation. EAPs have since seen a paradigm shift in their focus as they now deal with the full range of problems experienced by employees such as family life or relationship issues, work related stresses, financial pressures, depression or anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse. The researcher observed that some employees in the psychiatric institution, where they are employed as both professionals and non-professionals, were experiencing personal problems and very little if anything was done to provide assistance to them. It also seemed as if very few of them made use of the voluntary EAP service made available by the institution. The fact that a number of employees have problems can have serious negative consequences in that it causes a high rate of absenteeism and the institution’s core business, which is to provide care to its users, is compromised. The researcher undertook this study because EAP services fall within the realm of institutional development. This study could therefore make an invaluable contribution to the transformation discourse which has been taking place in the South African health systems in general and psychiatric institutions in particular. The purpose of this research is to determine employees’ experience of utilizing an EAP in a psychiatric hospital. The researcher is personally interested in employees’ experiences of utilizing the EAP in order to provide recommendations that will assist and strengthen the policy/guidelines for the Eastern Cape Department of Health on the use of EAPs. The workplace has an obligation to provide EAP services to employees so as to help them meet their contractual obligations in a holistic and healthy manner. The research goals are to explore the experiences of employees who have utilized an EAP. The findings will be used to make recommendations regarding the utilization of the EAP policy/guidelines that are currently used to assist the employees. The research methodology will be qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual. The research population and sampling for this study will consist of the employees who have made use of an EAP. Participants will be selected using a purposive sampling approach. Data gathering will be done using semi-structured interviews, at a venue convenient to the participants. Open-ended questions will be asked to enable participants to express their perceptions on the topic. The data will be analyzed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. The identified themes will be used to describe employees’ experience of utilizing an EAP. Trustworthiness will be ensured by using Guba’s model of trustworthiness. The ethical principles of beneficence, self-determination and justice will be ensured by asking for each participant’s consent, by not coercing individuals to participate in the study and by ensuring permission from the Department of Health and from the University’s research committee to conduct the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
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