RAND WATER ANNUAL REPORT 2023

HOW WE CREATE VALUE

Employee Assistance Interventions Employee Assistance interventions are designed to provide support to individual employees who are experiencing personal or work-related difficulties. Employees are offered internal counselling services by Wellness Practitioners, who provide professional assistance and support to the employees seeking to resolve their personal issues. Individual clinical utilisation accounted for almost three (3) in every five (5) employees. This uptake is encouraging and is an indication that the employees continue to trust and feel comfortable with accessing the Wellness Programme to enhance their coping abilities when faced with life stressors. The top three (3) presenting problems were trauma, family and relationships. The trends highlighted in the various categories led to the Wellness department focusing on “Return to work realignment post COVID-19, Mental Health and personal development and coping skills” early in the reporting period. Preventative Services

Wellness Days There were 1986 employees across all sites who took part in the health-screening provided, double the number from the previous year.

Corporate Health Walk The Corporate Health Walk took place in May 2023 at Zwartkopjes sports grounds and was very well attended. Approximately 800 employees participated in the walk. Employee Wellness partnered with Water Wise who used the platform to promote awareness of the importance of water conservation, eliminating environmental pollution, etc. Cancer Awareness Case statistics within Rand Water indicated an alarming rise in the number of cancer cases amongst employees. It was clear that education, awareness and testing had to be carried out as a matter of priority. CANSA, in association with Pink Drive, visited all sites during August and October 2022 to do breast, cervical and prostate screening as well as to provide educational talks and information to employees. Financial Wellness Financial Wellness workshops were carried out across all Rand Water sites during FY 2022/23. It was evident that employees were under financial strain post COVID-19 which had a knock-on effect in increasing the number of stress, depression and anxiety cases that were reported. The Financial Wellness workshops were well attended as approximately 1 600 employees attended these workshops.

World Aids Day and 16 Days of Activism

The World Aids Day theme for 2022 was “Equalise”. World Aids Day was combined with 16 Days of Activism. Displays were erected at all sites and a corporate event was held at Rietvlei which included a walk through the reserve, aerobic exercises and self defense training.

Sports and Fitness Rand Water utilises sports and fitness as one of the interventions to promote physical and mental well being. A total of 1 038 employees affiliated in various sporting codes that Rand Water offers, and have participated in national events such as comrade’s marathon, two oceans marathon etc. In order to have an inclusive programme Rand Water in a consultative session, has also identified sporting codes that accommodate People with Disabilities. Rand Water received an award for providing a well-rounded lifestyle management programme to its employees at the Employee Assistance Professional Association of South Africa conference.

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