Mark
I have worked a similar system for drug and alcohol related problems. It
will be important for the counsellors to liaise with you and understand
their responsibilities in informing you about any issues which might
potentially compromise the health & safety of the individual and/or others.
This is the only thing that I have needed to spell out to counsellors, as
sometimes issues are raised about confidentiality (which in fact is
sometimes more like secrecy and not in the best interests of the employee or
the rest of the workforce).
However, this has not been difficult to achieve and I have a good working
relationship with the counsellors.
One other point - you may like to review your costs, counselling services
can be as much as £60 per session and there is often a higher fee for the
first session as an 'initial assessment' and can be around £120.
Hope this helps.Good luck.
Cynthia Atwell, Independent OH Consultant, Staffordshire
Why not visit our website for information and details of the services we
provide?
www.seltech.btinternet.co.uk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark O'Connor" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 9:54 AM
Subject: Counselling - advice on set up please
I advise a firm of 800 employees - factory depot handling supermarket
goods - mainly male employees.
The Human Resources department would like to introduce access to
counselling to help individuals who are experiencing personal, family
other problems causing them anxiety,stress and consequent poor
performance and absence
The model we have been looking at builds on the current model of referal
to me for "normal problems" - if you forgive the term - ( direct with
consent and employee initiated ) with me then deciding on
appropriateness of counselling and then refering on to an independent
counsellor ( hopefully one who I can build a relationship up with who
will eventually understand the work place culture etc... In the way I do
( bullying++, macho culture etc...)
Counsellor would report to me ( with approriate consent) and I send my
usual report back to employer ( current fitness, prognosis, future
effectiveness and reliability etc...)
Counselling model would be 4 to 6, 1 hour sessions of solution focussed
type style. (Budget 2.5 k PA) so looking at I guess 60 sessions ( 10
employees, 6 sessions) at £40/session ( counselling fees ??£35 hour with
£5 admin fee for me)
Any pitfalls I should be aware of with respect to ethics, practicalities
etc...?
Grateful for your collective thoughts
Mark
--
Dr Mark O'Connor
MA(Oxon) MBBS MRCP MRCGP DipOccMed
|