In Nigeria, counseling most times are seen as a sign of weakness which is basically false.
Counseling is a time to open up on things that aren’t going well in our lives and seek help to right it.
As employees, there are problems we face either from work or from home which can affect our productivity level.
Especially when not dealt with and left to decay.
Therefore, today I will bring to you the unspoken importance of counseling in the workplace and how it can help boost your staff morale and keep the workplace healthy and productive throughout the day.
So, first of all,
What is counseling?
Workplace counseling is a way of understanding and helping individuals who have personal and emotional adjustment issues affecting their work performance.
Counseling helps the employees to come out of the problems and gives a new way to deal with the problems.
Counseling provided by trained professionals can make a great impact on the lives of your employees.
This service helps people navigate difficult life situations, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, natural disasters.
Effective counseling is a two-way street. It takes a cooperative effort by both the person receiving counseling and the counselor.
And it takes a commitment to make sometimes difficult changes in behavior or thinking patterns
Counseling focuses on the problem, not the employee, and it’s positive and constructive.
Counseling is based on the fact that performance can be enhanced if the employee is properly counseled by skilled practitioners.
Benefits of counseling are;
- Improved employees’ performance leading to productivity.
- Decreased employee absenteeism.
- The lower turnover rate among employees.
Common concerns addressed in counseling;
- Alcohol / Other Drugs.
- Anger Management.
- Anxiety / Stress
- Behavioral / Mood Changes (Depression)
- Eating Concerns / Self-Esteem / Body Image
- Grief and Loss
- Gender Identity.
To be effective in their roles, counselors should enjoy helping others and possess specific attributes and skills
- Communication Skills. Effective counselors should have excellent communication skills,
- Acceptance.
- Empathy; Problem Solving Skills
- Rapport-Building Skills
- Flexibility.
- Self-Awareness
- Multicultural Competence
4 ways to handle a counseling session;
- Make sure the Focus is on the employee.
- Stay Confidential
- Ask for Clarification
- Structure of the Session
With the info above, setting up a counseling room should be an agenda on your list.
It’s the best way to foster a stronger bond with your employees as a problem shared is a problem half solved.
The greatest assets of a business are your staff, are for their physical and mental health, and watch the exponential growth in your business.
Health is wealth
Medbury cares
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