Social Development minister welcomes programme to help public servants with their problems

MINISTER OF Social Development, and the Public Service, Frederick Stephenson has hailed the recently launched Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) saying it is not only about fulfilling government’s national mandate but is a commitment to the well-being of public servants. Speaking at the ceremony on May 24 to launch the programme, Stephenson said it is confidential and voluntary without prejudice to job security or career progression of public servants. Further, that it is a problem solving initiative which will reduce the economic cost of absenteeism and low productivity and is pivotal to the development and growth of this nation and its citizens.

Permanent secretary, Raymond Ryan who also spoke at the ceremony at the Methodist Church Hall said public servants are faced with new and emerging challenges including the COVID 19 pandemic and more recently, Monkey Pox.

“Employee Performance can never remain constant”, he said. “ Even among the best, with the best employee incentive programs there comes a time when even the brightest performer takes a dip which may be a consequence of work related or personal issues”.

Referencing that component of the National Development Plan 2013-2025, on Re-engineering Economic Growth: Improving the Quality of Life for all Vincentians, Ryan said the ministry recognizes that employees’ “physical and mental wellness are inextricably linked to their performance”, thus emphasis is placed on the continued development of the Employee Assistance Programme.

He noted the ministry’s involvement of the different departments and ministries, as they too have a vital role to play in the successful implementation of the EAP which is available to all public servants. Short-term counselling is available in areas of marriage, family, substance abuse and other addictive behaviours, financial management, stress, families with issues of violence,mental and emotional issues, bereavement and work related conflicts. These services are also available to immediate family members of public servants.

The EAP which is intended to complement the holistic development of employees within the public service, saw its early development more five years ago while responsibility for the public service was one of the portfolios of prime minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.