Employee assistance program utilisation, employee engagement and intention to stay: Case of selected organisations

Abstract

This research examined the relationship between EAP utilization, employee engagement and intention to stay among workers of selected organizations (Kakira Sugar Limited and Kampala Capital City Authority) guided by four key objectives and hypotheses. A quantitative approach involving correlational and cross-sectional research designs was used on a sample of 351 respondents as determined by Krejice and Morgan’s table for sample size. Stratified random sampling method was used to select participants. Data collection was done using already developed standardized questionnaires whose reliability was determined using chronbach’s alpha test. Statistical package for social scientists (SPSSV23) was used for analyzing both descriptive and inferential data. Pearson’s correlation was used for hypotheses testing where findings revealed that EAP utilization is significantly related to employee engagement at r= .20*** and p≤.001, employee engagement is significantly related to intention to stay at r= .32*** and p≤ .001 and EAP utilization is significantly related to intention to stay at r=.18** and p≤.01. A mediation analysis using PROCESSmacro also revealed that employee engagement partially mediated the relationship between EAP utilization and intention to stay were the total effect was (B= .27, SE= .09, t= .2.07, p= .04). The results implied that encouraging EAP utilization would increase employee engagement and intention to stay therefore organizations should establish and effect policies that encourage EAP utilization.