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

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.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

The Determinants Of The Economic Wellbeing Of An Ageing Population

Studying the impact of aging on GDP per capita does not give a clear picture of the economic wellbeing of elderly people. GDP per capita does not cater for people’s level of development or improvements in their standard of living. As a result, it is not a reliable measure of wellbeing. Each person has a different perspective regarding their economic wellbeing, and as a result, this study examines the impact of population aging on the economic wellbeing of the elderly in the King Cetshwayo District Municipality. A cross-sectional data set consisting of one hundred and fifty (150) participants was utilized to explore the determinants of economic wellbeing. Househeads aged 60 and above were asked questions about their demographics, level of education, asset ownership, and affordability of basic needs. The logistic regression model was used to examine the relationship between economic wellbeing and independent variables like age, gender, level of education, household savings, and other variables. The findings revealed that population aging does not affect the economic wellbeing of the elderly. Economic wellbeing was found to be determined by factors such as gender, education, health care expenditure, household savings, and increases in price levels

THE IMPACT OF POPULATION AGING ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY: A CASE OF THE KING CETSHWAYO DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

Population aging presents numerous challenges, such as a reduced fiscal balance, changes in the savings patterns of households, and higher age dependency ratios. These consequences are evident for older individuals, the government, and the economy at large. This study examined the impact of population aging on the economic growth of South Africa, studying the King Cetshwayo District Municipality specifically. A panel data set for the period 2002-2020 by Quantec Easy Data was used for the study. A FE regression model was used to examine the relationship between economic growth (GDP per capita), population aging, savings, education, and other independent variables. The findings from the panel data analysis revealed that population aging negatively affects economic growth only in the short run but not in the long run. Also, other factors like education, savings, and income affected economic growth in the King Cetshwayo District Municipality. This study recommends a transformation in the country’s savings by educating the population about the importance of savings in order to improve GDP per capita and the economic wellbeing of the people