Effects of Employee Assistance Programs on Performance of Employees in State Corporations in Kenya: A Case of Kenya Ports Authority

Abstract

Organizations implement Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to assist workers address work and personal issues and challenges that may negatively affect their productivity. Early identification and management of issues facing employees will benefit both the employees and employers. EAPs enable employees to balance their work and personal values, and that the company will benefit from rejuvenated employees. EAPs help in improving the workplace and the public image of companies. The scholar aimed to analyze the impact of employee assistance interventions on the productivity of workers in state corporations in Kenya by focusing on Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). The scholar pursued to ascertain the degree to which drugs and substance abuse cessation programs, employee counselling programs, financial literacy services affects productivity of workers in state corporations, a case of Kenya Ports Authority. The scholar was guided by three theories namely, social exchange, stakeholder, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The study adopted descriptive research design and targeted 450 employees of Kenya Ports Authority. The researcher used stratified and purposive sampling design to select 135 subjects for the study. The scholar undertook a pilot investigation to establish the reliability and validity of data collection instruments. The primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The research adopted regression model and descriptive statistics to assess quantitative data. Content analysis provided vital insights into qualitative data. The analyzed data was presented using percentages and frequency tables from which the researcher was able to draw conclusions and make recommendations. The study established that counselling programmes for the employees had the highest effect at 65.4%, Alcohol, drug and substance abuse cessation programmes impacted the employees at 44.3% whereas financial literacy programs had the minimal impact at 38%. The study found out that employees who utilized the employee assistance programmes, had a positive effect in their performance through reduced anxiety and stress, improved working morale, improved punctuality and reduced absenteeism. The researcher recommends for the enhancement of employee counselling programmes and provision of financial literacy services as they play a critical role in enhancing the performance of employees. The financial literacy services should be made more available and accessible to majority of the employees. State corporations ought to consider having a policy that offers guidelines on the utilization of Employee Assistance programmes and initiate the process of having EAP incorporated in Employment Law of Kenya. Further studies should seek to find out the other parameters of employee assistance programs which have an impact on employee performance.