AN EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN NAMIBIA – A NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The aim of this study was to explore the personal and work-related problems that impact on the productivity of employees in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Namibia. The study further investigated how such problems are dealt with in the workplace and explored the perceptions of employers and employees regarding the provision of an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), as well as the type of EAP viable for the SME sector. Findings of the study revealed that employees experience diverse problems and that SME owners are not equipped to deal with employees’ psychosocial problems effectively. The results also indicated a need for an EAP in SMEs to promote employee wellbeing.