Perceived Relationship Between Employee Welfare Programs and Employee Performance at Kenya Pipeline Company

Abstract

Welfare is concerned with the total wellbeing of employees both at work and at home. Employee welfare entails all those activities of employer, which are directed towards providing the employees with certain facilities and done towards the comfort and improvement of employees. The objective of the study was to determine the perceived relationship between of employee welfare programs and employee performance at Kenya Pipeline Company. The research adopted a descriptive research design. The population comprised of all the employees of Kenya pipeline from which 10% were sampled using stratified sampling technique. Data was collected by use of questionnaire, which had both closed, and open-ended questions. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics: frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Data presentation was in tables, charts and graphs. The study findings established that that there are various employee welfare programs provided at KPC which included provision of sports facilities, provision of pension scheme, rooms for meetings, lenient sick and maternity leave, canteens for eating ,employees being given days off during exam days, partnering with health insurance companies or hospitals for healthcare, provision of safety garments and equipment such as fire extinguishers, gloves, sanitary effects, gas masks, first aid kits, availability of social clubs, gymnasium, and sports clubs in the Company; and, commuter allowance subsidies and car loans to facilitate staff transportation. KPC also allowed staff to work from remote stations on need basis and pay hardship allowance. The study of the findings also established that welfare programs have had positive impact on the employee performance at Kenya Pipeline Company by increase of their attributes to performance on their accountability, meeting performance targets, loyalty to the Company, diligence, proper interpersonal communication, and self drive to undertake agreed tasks. The findings also indicated positive linear relationship established between welfare programs and employee performance. It can be concluded that in order to maintain most efficient employees they should be mentally and physically satisfied through provision of employee welfare programs. It can be concluded that provision of employee welfare programs have positive impact on employee performance. The study recommends that companies should learn and implement welfare programs for improved employee performance.