FINANCIAL WELLNESS PROGRAMS ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN THE DEVOLVED COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF KISII COUNTY, KENYA

Employers must recognize that efficiency and staff performance are key parts of an organization's performance in today's world. The quick rate of economic development in the twenty-first century generated new chances for organizations all across the world. Globalization has reduced the world to the size of a village, requiring institutions such as the banking sector to work hard to gain and sustain a competitive advantage. The core activity of the Devolved County Governments, general public satisfaction and service, has provoked adjustments, which have resulted in changes in work arrangements. This study sought to assess the effect of wellness program on employee performance with references to Kisii County. The study adopted descriptive research design. The findings revealed a statistically significant association between the independent variables and the dependent variable within the scope of this research. There is a positive and statistically significant correlation between financial wellness programs and employee performance. Similarly, there is a positive and statistically significant association between environmental wellness program and employee performance. Additionally, the association between social wellness program and employee performance is positive and significant. Lastly, the findings showed that the association between drug and substance abuse cessation program and employee performance is positive and significant. This implied that for every unit increase in drug and substance cessation program, there is a positive increase of employee performance. It was advisable for the County Government to adopt a comprehensive financial wellness program that offers extensive, prominent, and active assistance to its employees in the domains of financial education and investment planning. The use of this preventive method will offer support to employees when they reach their retirement age. The implementation of environmental wellness programs by the County Government, including initiatives such as complimentary gym memberships, incentives promoting well-being, and workplace recognition measures, is highly recommended. It is anticipated that these activities will augment staff motivation, hence leading to an enhancement in their performance. Key Words: Competitive Advantage, Economic Development, Employee Wellness CITATION : Nyakomittah, M., & Omwenga, J. (2023). Financial wellness programs on employee performance in the devolved county government of Kisii County, Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 10 (4), 593 – 600. http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v10i4.2775.