Counselling or referral services
Description
Eligibility
What employers should know or do
Description
Counselling or referral services in an organisation are often available to assist employees in resolving problems which may affect their work performance and job satisfaction.
Such a service may be provided for a variety of personal or work related problems, including:
- anxiety, depression, and general emotional problems
- workplace conflict
- coping with organisational change
- career counselling
- workplace stress and burnout
- misuse of alcohol or drugs
- grief and bereavement
- interpersonal relationship issues
- marriage and family relationship difficulties
Eligibility
The establishment of a counselling or referral service is not provided for under the Industrial Relations Act 1999 (PDF, 1.9 MB) and is generally not provided for in awards. This means that the establishment of counselling or referral services must be negotiated with the employer, who may approve it.
Where there are no provisions under the Industrial Relations Act 1999 or awards, employers and employees may negotiate an informal arrangement, a formal policy or a formal agreement registered or approved by an authority or tribunal. Employees should contact their human resource department or employer to find out what provisions may already be available through any such arrangement.
What employers should know or do
Ideally, a counselling or referral service should operate independently of other business units in the organisation to ensure privacy and confidentiality for employees.
Last updated 21 July 2009
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