Exploring employee perspectives about well-being initiatives by formal sector organisations in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose – This study aims to explore employee perspectives on well-being initiatives introduced by formal sector organisations in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic. It seeks to understand how employees experienced these initiatives, the factors that shaped their perceptions and how organisational support influenced their well-being during the crisis. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopted a qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews to collect data from 30 employees working in the formal sector in Ghana. Participants were selected through snowball sampling. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data, allowing for an in-depth exploration of employees’ perceptions of well-being initiatives introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings – The findings reveal that well-being initiatives were more successful when employees were actively involved in their design and when communication and feedback channels were clear and open. Initiatives that addressed both emotional and physical needs were valued the most. However, some employees perceived certain initiatives as superficial, mainly serving the organisation’s image rather than genuinely supporting staff. Trust, sincerity and the relevance of initiatives to employees’ real concerns emerged as critical factors influencing their acceptance and effectiveness. Originality/value – This is one of the few studies from a developing economy context that has qualitatively investigated employee perspectives about well-being initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study shares insights for policymakers, business leaders and human resource professionals aiming to foster resilient and thriving work environments in the face of future crises.