Counselling
Commentary Employee assistance (counselling) programmes are now operated by around 80% of the top 500 American companies and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. A recent survey indicated that approaching 200 UK companies had such programmes, finding them of considerable value not only helping to solve problems, but also in improving workplace relationships generally. If nothing else the programmes should indicate that the employer cares about the welfare and long-term health of its workforce. Whilst the employer sets the programme up and provides information on how advice can be sourced (that is via a comprehensive communication of both problems and suggested alleviation), the process relies on the employee making the contact and acting on the advice. Buying an external resource with guarantees of confidentiality etc., should encourage employees to use the system with confidence that nothing will be relayed to the employer without their permission. Internal Resource Whilst it ...