Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Performance in Kenya Medical Research Institute

At the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the organization's productivity in research output was adversely affected by the departure of highly skilled employees, leading to suboptimal achievement of its objectives. This illustrated the definitive role of employee performance in shaping the efficiency, quality, and effectiveness of organizational processes. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the impact of employee assistance programs on employee performance on Kenya Medical Research Institute. It also considered the moderating effect of job satisfaction on employee welfare programs-employee performance relationship in KEMRI. The Goal Setting Theory informed the study. A descriptive study design with a target population of 880 technical staff working in KEMRI was employed. The sample of 275 participants was determined using Yamane's formula, and the participants were recruited through a simple random sampling technique. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. The data were both statistically defined and examined using inferential statistical methods. Descriptive statistics like mean and standard deviation were used to define the data, while inferential analysis was done using multiple linear regression. The study established that employee assistance programs a strong positive contribution to the performance of the employees working in KEMRI. The R² value of 0.759 indicates that these programs account for approximately 75.9% of the variance in workers' performance. Job satisfaction was identified as a significant independent predictor of performance (β = 0.31, p = 0.000), and also significantly moderated the relationship between certain welfare programs and performance. The findings of this study revealed that employee assistance programs are essential for creating a motivated, healthy, and high-performing workforce at KEMRI. This study recommends that KEMRI should strengthen its employee assistance programs by expanding counseling and mentorship, improving healthcare services, and ensuring a safe work environment. They need to support social groups and team-building activities to enhance employee morale and cohesion. Similarly, management should also focus on increasing job satisfaction through recognition, career growth opportunities, and inclusive decision-making. Also, develop a clear welfare policy, backed by regular audits and employee feedback, will ensure ongoing improvement. Integrating these initiatives into strategic planning will help sustain a supportive and productive work.