One of the toughest challenges that businesses face is raising employee output and efficiency. This is particularly relevant in the wake of the Covid-19 recession and the subsequent struggle to adapt to a new economic reality. There may be several factors at play when an employee is not performing to their potential. A worker’s performance may suffer for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to mental health and workplace well-being, or a lack of skills.

Employees may just need minimal guidance and coaching from their supervisors to flourish in their jobs. Counselling in the workplace is comparable to therapy in that it aims to help employees work through problems and discover workable solutions, although it is typically a shorter-term intervention.

Workplace Counselling is Defined as What?

Counselling in the workplace is considered a step toward workplace wellness because it can positively affect an employee’s mental and emotional well-being. Those who work there are all eligible for counselling services. It entails providing them, at no cost, with a neutral third party at work with whom they can have private, productive conversations.

These gatherings give workers a safe space to talk about problems and concerns, and they also teach them how to develop the tools and coping methods they’ll need to overcome them. Counselling individuals in the workplace helps them deal with the pressures they face daily while also providing benefits for the business.

Why Do We Need Counselling in the Workplace, and What Are Its Benefits?

Counselling in work environments has been shown to improve morale, decrease the number of sick days taken, and ease psychological distress. These results highlight the need for increased access to such services on the part of employers, particularly in light of the alarming prevalence of stress-related illnesses in the workplace. Is there anyone left who isn’t persuaded? Let’s delve into the reasons this method of employee support should be prioritised, as well as the benefits we may expect beyond the workplace.

Decrease in Total Cost Over Time

Stress-related illnesses will inevitably cause employee absences. However, if this problem persists for too long and compounds, it can have devastating effects on the affected person, their workplace, and society as a whole. The increased turnover and healthcare expenditures are plain to see as a result.

The good news is that professional counsellors in the workplace can help us learn effective techniques for dealing with stress. Further, if we want to cut down on expenses brought on by employee burnout, churn, absenteeism, and disability caused by accidents, it seems to reason that we should seek to proactively optimise the well-being of the workforce.

Incidences of Absence Are Decreasing

There are two clear explanations for someone missing class. Both “the need for a vacation” and “illness” fit this description. Both of these things have something to do with stress, but only in a roundabout way. Anxiety can lead to a variety of health problems, one of which is distress.

Therefore, therapy can be used to combat the harmful effects of stress and anxiety. This will boost staff confidence and morale, which in turn will reduce absenteeism. They’ll start enjoying their work again soon.

Increases Efficiency in the Workplace

72% of Capetonian businesses see stress as a productivity killer for their employees. With this information in hand, businesses can take preventative measures to avoid a decline in productivity.

Employees who have access to counselling in the workplace have a protected space to work through problems that may be affecting their productivity. Employees who take care of their mental well-being help create a culture of cooperation and innovation. At the end of the day, workers will be able to leave the office feeling more inspired, creative, capable, and robust than when they arrived.

 Managing Negative Feedback

Some people find it quite insulting to receive criticism for their efforts, and this can have a chilling effect on productivity. Therefore, the goal of counselling is to enhance employees’ resilience to criticism and their capacity to grow from their mistakes.

Creates a Safer Work Environment

Counselling services for employees are both the barrier at the edge of the cliff and the rescue vehicle at the bottom. The need for counselling among staff members shouldn’t be left unaddressed until a crisis occurs. This kind of assistance has been proven to be an efficient means of avoiding the onset of work-related illnesses.

Offering free and confidential counselling services to employees is a great way to promote a safe and supportive work environment. The possibility that employees will seek help during a crisis increases when the hurdles to doing so are reduced, such as time and money.

Building Self-Assurance and Morale

Personality is mostly composed of one’s level of self-assurance. With a healthy dose of self-assurance, anyone can overcome whatever difficulty they face. However, mental health issues such as stress, discontent, worry, etc., can limit a person’s capacity to do so. In such a situation, talking to a counsellor can be helpful. Confidence and morale are boosted as a result. Therefore, it makes a positive impact on the organisation as a whole. An organisation can get several benefits from a counselling programme. As a modern necessity, it serves both employers and workers admirably.

Reduces the Stigma Associated With Mental Illness

As a result of the associated stigma, 87% of South African workers do not seek help for their mental health.  That’s why it’s important to promote a culture of openness to getting assistance by including workplace counselling as part of your overall wellness programme for employees.

You Also Build a Name for Yourself as a Kind Employer

The benefits of removing the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace, such as increased productivity and less absenteeism, will encourage other businesses to adopt a similar approach.

Advice on Designing an Effective Workplace Counseling Program

Implementing an effective employee counselling programme in your business or organisation relies heavily on following best practises. To make it work, consider the following suggestions:

  • Before getting started, decide on the outcomes you’re hoping to achieve.
  • Adaptability means being open to change so long as it doesn’t violate the core principles of your company or organisation.
  • Develop a practical timeline for assessment.
  • Think carefully about your desired outcomes and how you can bring them about.
  • Consider what sort of counselling programme for workers would be most effective.
  • A pilot study should be conducted if at all practicable.
  • Maintain open lines of communication with upper management and staff to update them on your progress and express your gratitude for their efforts throughout the process.
  • Create rewards for workers as well as managers to boost engagement.
  • To successfully administer a counselling programme for employees, you must be willing to bend to any corporate or organisation-specific regulations.
  • Consider how you and your organisation can track the progress of such a program, and how you may duplicate its successes.

Conclusion

Counselling is an important aspect of employee well-being that should be considered by company management. This necessitates expanding the role of counselling beyond only helping workers whose problems appear to be impacting their productivity. When leaders invest in their teams’ well-being, they empower their employees to face adversity with grace and keep their organisation’s strategic goals in sight. Get in touch with professionals at Relapse Prevention JHB who offer online corporate counselling so you can build your team in the convenience of your employees workspace.