EFFECTS OF STAFF WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA
Keywords:
Staff wellness programs, employee performance, private universities, wellness interventions, Nakuru County, KenyaAbstract
Purpose of The Study: This study examined the effect of staff wellness programs on employee performance in private universities in Nakuru County, Kenya. It addressed persistent challenges of stress, burnout, and inadequate wellness support systems negatively affecting employee productivity despite existing wellness-related interventions in private universities.
Methodology: A descriptive survey design was adopted, targeting 66 non-academic staff from selected private universities. A census approach was used with structured questionnaires. Validity and reliability were ensured through expert review, pilot testing, and Cronbach’s Alpha. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 with descriptive and inferential statistics including correlation and regression analysis.
Findings: Staff wellness programs showed a positive and significant relationship with employee performance (R=0.613, R²=0.376, p=0.001). Employees with access to counseling services, stress management programs, and health support systems reported higher productivity, motivation, and job satisfaction. The composite mean for wellness programs was 3.50 (SD=0.98), indicating moderate implementation, while employee performance recorded a composite mean of 3.77 (SD=0.88). Professional counseling services scored lowest (M=3.30), revealing a critical gap. Regression results confirmed that improvements in wellness interventions significantly enhance employee output in private universities.
Conclusion: Staff wellness programs significantly and positively affect employee performance in private universities in Nakuru County. However, current implementation remains moderate, with notable gaps in professional counseling services. Institutions that invest comprehensively in mental health support, recreational activities, and counseling services are likely to achieve higher employee performance outcomes.
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